Colossians 3:12-17 NKJV
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another.
Mercy and kindness have to do with how we treat others. Remember Jesus told us that the second greatest commandment is as the first, “Love your neighbor as yourself!”
The love of God has to be the foundation from which Christ like character springs from otherwise it will not amount to much. To have mercy is the willingness to forgive and have sympathy on the actions of another. Mercy and forgiveness go hand in hand. It is because of the mercies of God that we are forgiven of our sins. In fact the bible says that God is rich in mercy and abounding in love. When we interact with others we should have mercy and not just mercy but tender mercies.
The parable of the unmerciful servant is a good example for us on how not to treat others. Though he deserved to be thrown into prison because he had a huge debt he could never repay, his master had mercy on him and forgave him. On the other hand he was unwilling to offer the same mercy on his fellow servant who owed him very little and he had him thrown into prison. In the same manner, God has showered us with his mercy because we had a debt e could never repay. Shouldn’t we also have the same mercy towards others?
It is when we are merciful that we can be kind. Sometimes it feels like kindness is becoming extinct on this earth. To be kind is to be friendly generous and considerate. Generous people are hard to find in this generation because we have been taught to be selfish. Be all you can be and it matters not who you have to step on to get there. We have believed that as long as I have given my tithes and offerings in Church then I am all good. The church then should take care of the poor and the widows. No, as children of God we must put on kindness because it is the nature of our father in heaven.
Titus 3:4-6 NKJV
4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Remember, we are urged to put on these qualities meaning that with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are able to put on them on as we deal with others.
Question is, what will you put on today?
Reflections
Mercy of Judgement, which one do you tend to gravitate to when you are wronged?
Has an unexpected person ever extended kindness to you? How did that affect you?
Romans 2:4 Tells us that it is Gods kindness that leads us to repentance. What does that mean to you?
