Kindness

Taken from DTS notes from Blake Mattox

"When the kindness and the love of God our savior appeared, He saved us..." Titus

Not often do I hear "kindness" equated with "salvation." In terms of salvation, I often hear the words "hell," "sin," "redemption," and even "love." However, not often simply "kindness." Yet, this is the topic of the DTS lecture this afternoon and I do believe there is much truth in this concept.

Kindness goes a long way in bringing change in others. Do I look for opportunities to show kindness? In II Sam 9:1-13, King David did exactly that. He asked, "is there anyone from the house of Saul I can show God's kindness to for Jonathan's sake?" Not only did he look for an opportunity to show kindness, he looked in a place that had brought him much pain in the past- the house of Saul.

The answer to his quest? "yes...he is crippled in both feet"- implying sin or condemnation on the young man Mephibosheth. Ignoring the implication as well as any faults the young man had, David sent for him and showed him kindness. Kindness does not judge.

Next, King David told Mephibsheth he would restore all the land that had been stolen from his family and invited him to eat at the king's table as a son. Kindness restores and kindness gives a place of honor.

"And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table, and he was crippled in both feet." II Sam 9:13

Go, show kindness to someone today.