“Be kindly affectionate to one another.” Romans 12:10 NKJV
“Kindness is always best, and holds the least cause for regret.”
My thoughts today are about “kind affection.”
There will always be situations and people that confront you with important choices. Choosing to be kind rather than unkind is always the right choice. You alone have the power to choose what is best, what is right to do. No matter what the situation may be, or how the other person has acted or what another has said, the real decision is yours alone.
Have you ever thrown a ball against a wall? The force with which the ball is thrown determines the force and speed with which it returns. Your natural reactions will always be like that, unless you choose Godly responses. Jesus changed the standard. “Whatever you want others to do for you, do the same for them.” Matthew 7:12. No wonder they call that “the Golden Rule.”
I have learned that my choice can either be a reaction or a response. By default, I can react to another in a like manner, or I can more wisely forego my right and justification of doing so and thoughtfully reserve my own responsibility to respond in better ways. Your reactions are not really your choice at all; they merely duplicate what someone else chose to do. A righteous response, however, is your choice alone.
That evidences a Godly maturity and reflects your devotion to Christ. I long ago formed a helpful definition: “Spiritual maturity is rightly responding to life’s situations according to Biblical patterns of behavior.” That sounds a lot like Jesus, doesn’t it? See Matthew 5:10-12/1 Peter 2:23-24 NIV.
The Bible says, “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath . . When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 15:1/16:7. Reactions always escalate, exaggerating and worsening whatever the initial and subsequent words or actions are. Kindness is always best, and holds the least cause for regret. There is always and excuse for doing otherwise, but you will certainly regret doing so.
Our English word, “kind,” has its origin from a word not currently in use, “kinned,” meaning to be related as family. Over time the word evolved to its current spelling, and suggests acting in a manner as you should to members of your own family – “kindly affectionate.”
A family, by its very nature, requires kindness. When people live daily in close proximity for such a length of time, relationship with appropriate love and good will can only be sustained by extending kindness generously. Responding kindly, whatever the provocation or behavior, is your worthy and Godly objective.
In some ways are we not all “family,” or at least meant to treat one another as such? “Show family affection to one another with brotherly love.” Romans 12:10. The Bible reminds you, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God forgave you in Christ.” Ephesians 4:32. Who sets the standard for what you will be and do?
My prayer for you today is that you will be known for your kindness.