Kindness-A Quality Expressed in Word and Action - CULTIVATING KINDNESS

Because of being created "in God's image," all humans are capable to developing the quality of kindness. (Genesis 1:29)  For instance, Julius, a Roman army officer in whose custody the apostle Paul traveled to Rome, treated the apostle "with kindness and permitted to go to his friends and enjoy their care"  At the city of Sidon.  (Acts 27:3)  Sometime later, the inhabitants of Malta showed  "extraordinary kindness" to Paul and others who had just experienced shipwreck.  The islanders even made a fire to warm the victims.  (Acts 28:1. 2) Yet. as commendable as their actions were, kindness involves more than just performing an occasional kind act.

To please God fully, we must develop kindness as a permanent part of our personality and way of life. For this reason, Jehovah tell us t0 "clothes ourselves with kindness. (Colossians 3:12) Admittedly, though, we do not always find it easy to make this godly quality a part of us. Why not?  We may hold back from showing kindness because of shyness, insecurity, opposition, or lingering traces of selfishness.  Nevertheless, we can overcome such difficulties by relying on holy spirit and by imitating Jehovah 's pattern of kindness. - 1 Corinthians 2:12.

Can we identify wherein we need to improve in showing kindness?  We should ask ourselves: 'Am I an empathetic listener? Am I alert to the needs of others?  When was the last time I was kind to someone who is not a family member or a close friend?'  Then we can set goals, such as getting to know  more about the people around us, especially in the Christian congregation.  In this way we can become alert to their circumstances and needs.  Next, we should try to show kindness to others in ways that we would appreciate receiving if we were in their place.  (Matthew 7:12) Finally, Jehovah will bless our efforts to cultivate kindness if we ask him for help. -Luke 11:13.

Next time: Kindness-A Quality Expressing in Word and Action - KINDNESS ATTRACTS OTHERS

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