2 Corinthians 6:6 …in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love…
Before we begin today’s devotion, stop and read the passage from which it comes. Starting in 2 Corinthians 6:3 we see Paul says not to put a stumbling block before anyone, doing so could result in our ministry being discredited. Then he goes on to a long list of all the ways we commend (to prove or demonstrate) ourselves to others. Included in this lengthy list is kindness.
Yesterday we talked about the word kindness and what it means, as well as the choice we make to clothe ourselves with kindness. Today we see the same word used, the Greek chrestotes. To refresh your memory, this is defined as sweetness of temper that seeks the well-being of others. When we show kindness to others we are responding to them with gentleness and that sweet temper we’ve been discussing. We choose compassion and kindness, even when we don’t want to respond that way. Some people are simply harder to love, but we choose to be kind and compassionate towards them.
Have you ever stopped to consider what choices like this demonstrate to others? We saw in verse three that choosing not to respond in kindness could be detrimental to our ministry, and we all have a ministry whether we think so or not. Qualities like kindness, compassion, and love demonstrate that we are working with God rather than by our own strength and merit. We must remember that sometimes the only Jesus some people will ever see is the Jesus inside of you.
Are you hampering the influence you have on those you interact with? Are you letting Jesus be seen in your actions, in the kindness you show them? We operate under the power, guidance, and influence of the Holy Spirit. Are you letting Him help you? Today let’s make efforts to stop trying to do things on our own and let God lead us. Let the Spirit work in you and through you to touch the lives of others with kindness and compassion.
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