Not So Random Acts of Kindness
Posted 02-18-2015 at 07:52 PM by NT Fellowship
A few years ago, some people were motivated to start "random acts of kindness." The idea was to pass on a bit of love, an act of mercy or assistance, or do something to brighten someone else's day. Usually, these acts were to be anonymous, delivered to people they didn't know.
I think this kind of seeking-to-bless activity is great! Reminds me that within each person is a portion of the image of God. The Lord made and loves each one of us, and some of His beauty remains; whether or not that person knows Him.
For Christians, we need to do even more than random acts of kindness. After all, random (defined by the 1828 Webster's Dictionary)means "a roving course without direction...want of direction, rule, or method... hazard, chance." Certainly kindness should be more directed, more certain, and more distinctive than that!
Micah 6:8 states, 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? Simply put, God wants us to do good, and tells us what that is: do justly (ie: don't overcharge for your services; hear the other person out; keep your family and church a priority under God and before work; pay your bills; help someone in need), and to love mercy(ie: someone who overlooks other people's blunders; forgives easily; is easily entreated; seeks to assist others in their times of trouble), and walk humbly with thy God (ie: don't shriek down curses on someone else "in Jesus' name!"; is willing to hear another Christian who may have a slightly different understanding about end times; doesn't call themselves "Reverend" because only God is reverend (Psalm 111:9). Etc. Living this way on a daily basis gives plenty of opportunity for directed acts of kindness!
Colossians 3:12-13 tells us, 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. In other words: love deliberately, as Jesus has loved you! This is a planned intervention in the life of someone else. It is with prayerful determination to forgive someone who has hurt you; and tenderly endure with someone who is annoying to you. With a deep heart of mercy, let's pour out kindness, be approachable, humble, open-hearted...toward those you know, and those you don't.
When you rise and shine, ask the Lord: "Who can I bless in Your name today?" His answer may surprise you!
--Pastor David Lee, NT Fellowship
I think this kind of seeking-to-bless activity is great! Reminds me that within each person is a portion of the image of God. The Lord made and loves each one of us, and some of His beauty remains; whether or not that person knows Him.
For Christians, we need to do even more than random acts of kindness. After all, random (defined by the 1828 Webster's Dictionary)means "a roving course without direction...want of direction, rule, or method... hazard, chance." Certainly kindness should be more directed, more certain, and more distinctive than that!
Micah 6:8 states, 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? Simply put, God wants us to do good, and tells us what that is: do justly (ie: don't overcharge for your services; hear the other person out; keep your family and church a priority under God and before work; pay your bills; help someone in need), and to love mercy(ie: someone who overlooks other people's blunders; forgives easily; is easily entreated; seeks to assist others in their times of trouble), and walk humbly with thy God (ie: don't shriek down curses on someone else "in Jesus' name!"; is willing to hear another Christian who may have a slightly different understanding about end times; doesn't call themselves "Reverend" because only God is reverend (Psalm 111:9). Etc. Living this way on a daily basis gives plenty of opportunity for directed acts of kindness!
Colossians 3:12-13 tells us, 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. In other words: love deliberately, as Jesus has loved you! This is a planned intervention in the life of someone else. It is with prayerful determination to forgive someone who has hurt you; and tenderly endure with someone who is annoying to you. With a deep heart of mercy, let's pour out kindness, be approachable, humble, open-hearted...toward those you know, and those you don't.
When you rise and shine, ask the Lord: "Who can I bless in Your name today?" His answer may surprise you!
--Pastor David Lee, NT Fellowship
