THOUGHTS FOR SUNDAY

The Perfection of Love - Kindness

1 Cor 13:4

Theme:

Actively doing good toward others. 1 Cor. 13:4

Introduction

If patience (as used in this text) is the ability to passively endure the wrong someone has done against you, then kindness is the ability to actively seek goodness toward others.

While we know what kindness is and how to be kind toward others, we’re far from perfect in displaying this through the context of love.

Think about it, sometimes we do kind acts begrudgingly; guilt; favor; obligation.

Further, we may limit who receives our “kindness”

Kindness – Doing Good to Another

It is easy showing kindness to those whom you love (or those who are kind to you).

How easy is it to show kindness to those who hate you?

Would you show kindness to someone wanting to sue you; hurt you; abuse your liberty; or take advantage of your personal property? Matt. 5:38-42

It would certainly be easier to retaliate and feel justified. 1 Cor. 6:1ff

Wasn’t that Paul’s response to all the divisions within the church at Corinth? 1 Cor. 13

What Kindness looks Like: Loving Your Neighbor

A neighbor doesn’t necessarily look like someone who is “religious”.

A neighbor doesn’t necessarily look like a person with a perceived upstanding reputation.

No, a neighbor looks just like an ordinary man extending kindness under extra-ordinary circumstances. Lk. 10:25-37

SUMMARY:

A neighbor is someone who practices “true and undefiled religion.” Jas. 1:27

Conclusion

Love is perfected not only be enduring the wrongs against you, but also extending kindness in typically unlikely situations.

May God bless us to open our hearts and arms to all, including strangers and enemies by showing them the perfection of love through our kindness.