Enjoy today’s lesson!
ἀγάπη χρηστεύομαι (Love Is Kind)
Love is kind! And don’t you forget it!
I don’t think most of us do. I just think most of us don’t really know what that means. Somewhere along the way “Love is kind.” gets watered down into “Love is nice.” or “Love doesn’t make waves.”
But I’m pretty sure Paul thought he had a grasp on love. I’m really sure that Jesus was the epitome of love. Yet neither of these men was always “nice”. As far as making waves goes both Paul and Jesus were relational tsunamis.
Jesus was the guy who called the Gentile woman “a dog” to her face in Ma. 15 (and even in the context of that day it really wasn’t a nice name). How many times did he offend the crowds he was speaking to?
Paul?… he could incite whole cities to riot. He even made one group so mad they stoned him. He’s the guy who wrote to the Galatians he hoped the Judaizers would slip and emasculate themselves. Now that’s a different kind of kind than the kind I was taught. How ’bout you?
So was Paul just failing to take his own advice when he wrote to the Galatians or was he maybe talking about something else? Well let’s take a look.
The word Paul uses for kind is :
chrēsteuomai-Kind (Adjective), Kind (Be), Kindly, Kindness: (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words)
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines it this way:
kind-adj 1. affectionate, loving 2.a : of a sympathetic or helpful nature b :of a forbearing nature : gentle c : arising from or characterized by sympathy or forbearance <a kind act>: of a kind to give pleasure or relief
Kindness is the mindset of sympathy coupled with the desire to bring pleasure or relief; It is a forbearance that keeps us from giving others what they so richly deserve, while trying to help them see there is a better way.
Kindness can be “nice”. Yet it is more interested in being truly helpful than in building any certain perception of self. In other words when I am kind I am more interested in helping you than I am in making you think I am “wonderful”. When I am kind I may be politically incorrect but my motivation will be to lift up someone who has fallen down.
In Ma 15 Jesus was kind when he helped the Syro-Phoenician woman to discover she had a vital faith. He was kind,likewise, to confront those listening in, who thought they had faith with their self-limiting stereotypes.
Paul may have incited riots in Ephesus and Jerusalem but he didn’t do it for the shock value. He did it to bring the saving message of the gospel to the lost and dying. That was a kindness.
We are kind whenever we seek to do good for others even if they do not respond well in our offering.
Have you ever had to be harsh with someone in order to be kind to them? Tell me about it.
Lillie-Put 
Some would say being harsh is providing one “tough love” but, of course, if you’re on the receiving end it may not seem like love at all. I have been on both sides of this scenario and for a while neither side is comfortable. Fortunately, I have had people praying for me in both cases and with God all things are possible to work through, Hallelujah, for that. I’m sure you’re are having a great visit with Brenda and the cafes sure don’t hurt either.
The cafes were wonderful. I had a great time and I am really enjoying reading all these great comments upon my return!
I think we were often ‘harsh to be kind’ with our children, especially in their formative years. How often do we hear parents respond to a child’s scribble with “That’s nice” – and nothing more, when the child could/should also be encouraged to do better? “Harsh” may not be an appropriate word, as the intent is to inspire, not to criticise, and is always accompanied with love and time given to help. Children need motivation. A minor thing, no doubt, but where do we draw the line?
How often do we miss a chance to give real help to a person because we don’t want to offend? I’m thinking of being asked for an opinion about buying a dress, or a hairstyle, etc. We don’t have to offend. There are always ways to start with a compliment – “You have such a glorious shade of auburn hair that you look especially good in blue. That orange is a lovely colour but it doesn’t suit you as well as the blue”. Another minor thing.
The difficulty comes with behaviour, pursuits of pleasure etc – especially with teens. Sometimes we really need to be harsh to be kind. Then, on a matter of major importance, we can never water down the Gospel. Their eternal destination is at stake, as well as their quality of life here and now.
Above all else, we must be true!
Amen! It’s easier said than done but absolutely essential for the well being of those we love!
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