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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12

In this portion of his letter to the church in Colossae, Paul shares with fellow believers how to live as Christ-followers in an unChristian world. These are not just fanciful ideas for an ideal world but a beautiful letter (book) to real people, trying to live real lives in a real world.

In this verse, the Holy Spirit is stirring in me two particular points; action and identity and how they work together.

First, there is the action of being kind. It’s one thing to be kind in a kind world. It is easy to love those who love you back. It is much tougher to show kindness when all you get is bitterness or scoff in return. Here is where identity comes in. Our human nature leans toward quid pro quo – “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.” Even Jesus’ followers aren’t immune. Kindness is not in our nature. I think this is why Paul commends his readers to “clothe yourselves with…kindness.” It is not going to come naturally, you have to choose to put it on like a shirt. It is an action in direct opposition to our selfish nature.

I have been surprised as of late how unkind Christians can be to one another and to others. I have always seen some unkindness (and should expect it – after all, we are all human and imperfect.) However, the surprising part is the exponentially growing amount of unkindness I see.

Seeing the same in his day, Paul writes to remind his fellow Christians that they should be different and tells them why. Here is where identity comes in. “…as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved…” There is no quid pro quo needed, we are already dearly loved. We are chosen by God. We are cared for, forgiven, raised with Christ, brought to fullness in Christ, alive in Christ, etc. Because THIS is our identity, we can be kind without thought of how we will be treated in return.

The trouble is, we forget our identity and find it more and more difficult to show kindness in the face of unkindness. Because we forget we have died with Christ we allow that selfish nature to take charge again and fight for what is “ours.”

I also find it interesting that Paul commends his readers to clothe themselves with both kindness AND compassion. You can do a “kind” act, a good deed, and not truly care about the subject of the “kindness.” You can give money to a charity and not care about the charity or about people at all. But, this is not enough. It is not enough just to do good deeds, to “be kind.” We are to also clothe ourselves with compassion and this changes everything. Compassion deals with the heart. We are to do good deeds and do them from a heart of compassion. Again, here, Paul uses the phrase clothe yourselves. Although compassion is a heart issue, it doesn’t come naturally, not from our human nature. Now being alive in Christ, we CHOOSE to allow the life of Christ and the love of Christ (compassion) to flow through us.

To switch to another metaphor, we are the vessel, but we get to decide what kind of vessel we will be.

Jesus, the Apostles, and Paul all remind us of the importance of being kind, of being like Christ. It is a virtue that is rare in our day but is sorely needed. It is a virtue, that if wielded wisely and faithfully, can change hearts and lives. It is a virtue that can open eyes and hearts and set people free. It is also a protection. Our deliberate, intentional acts of kindness and compassion fight the natural tendency of our hearts to grow cold and hard. It happens, sometimes without our noticing and kindness can stop it.

A word of caution:

Please do not think that showing kindness will get people to like you or to like Jesus. The goal of kindness cannot be to garner affection. Jesus clearly warns us in Matthew that “the world will hate you because of me.” Showing kindness may not get the response that we expect, but we show it anyway.

A word of admonition:

Also, showing kindness is not the same as allowing others to abuse you. Kindness is not antithetical to setting boundaries. It is ok to kindly (lovingly) tell your yelling coworker that that behavior is unacceptable. It is ok to kindly set boundaries for people, teaching them how to treat you while showing them how Jesus would treat them. I say this especially to those, like me, who were raised in the South. Even Jesus, in instructing his disciples, says there is a time to “shake the dust from your feet” and walk away (Matt… – please read that in the context of the Scripture.)

Kindness matters. Kindness should be what you and I put on and wear every day. In the face of an unkind world and sometimes an unkind church, we should show kindness with compassion. Being kind while knowing that you are chosen and dearly loved by God, will make the quality of your life better. It will strengthen your connection to Jesus. Being kind will open your heart and soul to receive more and more of what God has in store for you, more of Himself.

Even Blockbuster tried to remind us, “Be Kind. Please Rewind.” Otherwise, you and I are just another unkind person in a world that grows more unkind every day.

Please be kind; KINDNESS MATTERS!

Prayer:

(Titus 3:3-5)

Jesus, at one time I too was foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. I lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating. But when your kindness and love appeared, you saved me, not because of righteous things I had done, but because of your mercy. Jesus, it is your kindness that leads us to repentance. Today, help me to clothe myself in your kindness and be a reflection of your love for my community, especially those who will not return that kindness. Help me to remember today that kindness makes a difference, that kindness matters.

Thank you, Jesus!