Intentional Kindness

No doubt you have heard about random acts of kindness. You may have been the recipient of one of these random acts of kindness. In this blog I want to write about something better than random acts of kindness. The something better is intentional acts of kindness. Imagine a world where people were intentionally kind to each other. Certainly, the world would be a much better place.

In The Bible we have the command to demonstrate intentional kindness to each other.

We also have many precedents from the words and actions of Jesus. The command is found in Ephesians 4:32,

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you."

The precedents from the words and actions of Jesus are varied and scattered throughout the gospels. Consider the passage from Mark 10 where they brought young children to Jesus.

"Then they brought young children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.'...And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them" (Mark 10:13,14,16).

Can you picture the tender touch of Jesus and warm smile on His face as He took the children in His arms! No doubt, they felt His kindness.

Another dramatic scene from the life of Jesus stands as a stark contrast to His kindness to the little children. This scene, recorded in John 8:1-11, involved an adult woman who was "caught" in the acts of adultery and brought before Jesus by a group of scribes and Pharisees. After they had placed the woman before Jesus,

"They said to Him, 'Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do you say'" (John 8:4,5)?

What did Jesus say? Did He display a similar contempt and anger to that of the scribes and Pharisees? Did He lash out at the woman with words of condemnation? No, He showed intentional kindness. Actually, Jesus ignored their voices and stooped down and started writing on the ground with His finger. The Bible does not tell us what Jesus wrote. When the scribes continued to press Jesus for an answer, he raised up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first" (John 8:7). The next verse says that Jesus once again stooped down and wrote on the ground. Again, we do not know exactly what Jesus wrote, but we know that one by one beginning with the oldest down to the youngest they departed.

Jesus extended kindness to this woman when self-righteous scribes and Pharisees offered nothing but violence and condemnation.

After all the scribes and Pharisees had left and Jesus remained alone with the woman Jesus spoke to the woman. He asked her, "...Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you? She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said to her, 'Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more'"(John 8:10,11).

Jesus in no way offered this woman permission to be adulterous, but He certainly extended intentional kindness. No doubt she had been exploited by selfish, lustful men and the religious elite of the day. What a contrast Jesus was to other men in her life! He offered her intentional kindness and love.

The world we live in today seems to be unraveling at the seams. War is raging in Israel and Gaza. Senseless hatred seems to be spreading over our world. Conflict, deep animosity, a stubborn desire to defeat and even destroy the opposition and rage fill the corridors of government and the streets of our cities. These evil impulses are palpable and undeniable. Intentional kindness will not instantly do away with all that is wrong in our world, but it will be an important step to changing the current trajectory.

In the powder keg world of our day where tensions are strong, and fuses are short, intentional kindness will not be easy. If you happen to be an employee in the public sector of life and dealing with the public is an inescapable part of your job, you may be subjected to hostility and anger on a regular basis.

Giving as much or more than you get may be your first impulse. Intentional kindness though not easy in such a situation is a must better than responding in a retaliatory manner.

One of the things that makes intentional kindness such an attractive option is the fact that it is something every individual can do.

It many instances it may be the only thing we can do. We can be kind and tender hearted toward each other. We can take that next step and actually be forgiving toward each other.

The Bible teaches us that Jesus should be the supreme example for all of us. If we follow His example, we will be intentionally kind. As I conclude this blog, I make a commitment to my Lord, myself and to the readers to carry out acts of intentional kindness.

Will you join me? I pray you will.