We were created in God's image,"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." Gen. 1:26, and He asks us to be kind to each other, as He has been kind to us, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Eph. 4:32 and "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared," Tit. 3:4. God's goodness is intended to lead us to repentance, "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Rom. 2:4 and repentance is part of our receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38.
He asks us to be kind because we only hurt ourselves when we are cruel, "The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh." Prov. 11:17. He even wants us to be kind to those we perceive to be our enemies, "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." Lk. 6:35. Because He is always looking to save the one and asks us to help Him, "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." Lk. 15:7.
Kindness is defined by the fruit of the Spirit, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Gal. 5:22-23. This is the way He has asked us to live, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Col. 3:12-13 and "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Mic. 6:8 and living by God's wisdom produces kindness, "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." Prov. 31:26.
His plan will be completed. Whether we participate or not. And those who choose to live the kindness He displays will be with Him for eternity, "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." Matt. 25:34-36. We cannot fool ourselves into thinking it would be kind of God to allow people into heaven who refuse to be kind. This is why He gives us a lifetime to learn His truth.
God does not want us to waste the grace and mercy He has shown us, "We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain...Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left," 2 Cor. 6:1, 3-4, 6-7. But instead, He wants us to use it to bring as many people into His family as possible.
It is His kindness that proves His love, "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:7-9. We cannot earn it, for we are imperfect. However, He offers it freely. This is the truth He wants us to dwell in His love, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Col. 3:16.
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