Bible Study 2923

Being Kind Part 1

Kindness

more of an English and Western thought than Eastern or otherwise

what would we call an act of kindness?

things that are either loving or they are not

our culture calls things kind that are not

in fact many of the things that constitute “kindness” in today’s world have a negative affect on the self and others

what does it mean to share the love that we have had shared with us?

Worldly Kindness

you and I will be more and more asked to acknowledge untruths for the sake of a misguided sense of morality

there are ideologies that are harmful which are touted as life saving

most of them are only becoming more popular and accepted

our challenge is to love people even when the rest of our culture refuses to

Washing Feet and New Commandment

Jesus shows how we ought to love

to lower ourselves and serve others

to care for the needs of others over our selves, no matter what the status of the other party is

he says that we are to love like he loves and that is how we will be known

our love is distinguishable, different, noticeable because Jesus’ love, Jesus’ kindness is not conformed to any culture of humans

Application

sometimes doing what is most loving for someone will not be easy

more and more showing love will likely be called hate and may even make you hated

these things are already true

one study shows that transgendered people in one of the most supportive and affirming environments for them are still 20 times more likely to commit suicide

every abortion is the ending of a human life and most who promote it agree with this and value one over both anyway

people who are gay are often not choosing to be but are neurologically bound to be such that they are attracted to the same sex, but in no way should we ever elevate sexual attraction as the most important characteristic of our humanity

these are just a few difficult ideologies that most often set themselves in opposition to the kingdom of God

we know that what they need is not what they seek

the only way we will ever convince anyone who was not raised to believe that life, peace, and purpose are not found in sex or sexual motivation, is by being kind and serving people even when they have not been kind to you or earned your respect

the king of kings humbles himself to be a servant and oppressive soldiers, prostitutes, priests, and fisherman all believe what he says is true

if you are ever going to actually reach anyone who is lost, it will start by really going out of your way to be kind