Characteristics of Love: Love is Kind
1 Corinthians 13:3-4 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1 Corinthians 13:3-4(NLT) If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
Introduction: Calvary salute to all my brethren.
🙏 I pray that the light of His words will shine brighter and brighter in our lives in Jesus name.
We are continuing to look at characteristics of Love as written in the Scriptures.
This will enable us to walk in God’s kind of Love intentionally and desist from walking after the manner of the Gentiles (world) such as valentine’s kind of love.
Ephesians 4:17-18 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
🛑 As God’s children, we are to walk in God’s kind of Love taking practical steps to do what the characteristics of Love entail.
Ephesians 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
We called it “40 days Love walk” as shown in a Christian film titled “Fire Proof” watched sometimes ago.
✍ Practical step we are to take from last week’s characteristic of Love is: “To say nothing negative at all to our spouse. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It’s better to hold your tongue than to say something you’ll regret.”
If we want to be doers of His words and NOT hearers only, we must consciously take the step. It is sacrifice to God for our own good.
🛑 Remember, we are to start this practical steps at home because charity begins at home. Seeing anyone being nice outside and a terror at home is fallacy and hypocritical.
📢 Second characteristic: Love is kind
To be kind is to behave in a gentle, caring and helpful way towards others.
Therefore, God’s kind of Love behaves gently in a caring and helpful ways.
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32(NLT) Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32(AMP) And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.
Sincerely, most often than not, unkind words and reactions towards someone consciously or unconsciously is due to unforgiveness or deep seated hurt that we are still nursing inside.
We will be kind naturally or subconsciously to someone considered to be good to us and Jesus said that is not a big deal, even unbelievers do the same. What makes a difference between Christians and unbelievers is where kindness is shown to someone who hurts you.
Matthew 5:44,46 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Message version of Matthew 5:46 says;
If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that.
🛑 Therefore, to be able to be kind or behave in a gentle, caring and helpful way towards someone that hurts in words and actions, there is need to forgive.
Ephesians 4:32(AMP) And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.
Once we are able to forgive any wrong done to us, taking steps of kindness will not be difficult.
❓What can help in forgiving those who hurt us?
1️⃣ Remembering how we are also forgiven by Jesus Christ.
2️⃣ Anytime we remember the hurts, remember also how Jesus was hurt for your sake.
3️⃣ We should not expect accolades from man for our kindness.
Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
God’s kind of Love is without deceit unlike valentine’s love. Kindly affections to others through God’s kind of Love are without arrogance.
Romans 12:9-10 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
✍ Finally brethren, I heard that a Christian husband told his daughter that he cannot waste money on his cancer patient wife because she is going to die. This is unkind and wicked words. This cannot come from a loving heart of a child of God even if the wife for whatever reason has become his enemy.
Our practical step for this week will be; in addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.
2 Peter 1:7-9(GNS) To your godliness add Christian affection; and to your Christian affection add love. These are the qualities you need, and if you have them in abundance, they will make you active and effective in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if you do not have them, you are so shortsighted that you cannot see and have forgotten that you have been purified from your past sins.
✋ Maranatha
