Changing Our Reputation

“Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” ~ Mark Twain

In a world seemingly void of graciousness and common decency, kindness can go a long way.  The actual definition of kindness is: “treating people with respect,” and that is something so hard to find in today’s world, even more specifically in our Christian world.Christians (in general) have the reputation of being the most unkind and ungracious people.  Just ask any waiter or waitress that works on a Sunday! :) I think it’s time to show our world what genuine, loving, forgiving, grace-giving Christians really look like!In the book of Romans, chapter 2, the apostle Paul is speaking to believers and states: (v4) it is “God’s kindness that leads you toward repentance.”  It is not judgment, guilt, shame or condemnation that leads people to God… it is His KINDNESS!

IF IT’S GOD’S KINDNESS THAT LEADS PEOPLE TO HIM ~ WON’T IT ALSO BE OUR KINDNESS THAT LEADS PEOPLE TO JESUS?

It may not be the words we speak to others but the kindness we show to others that will draw people to God. Though our testimony of God’s saving grace may be powerful, it’s only as powerful as the kindness we show in living our lives before others.Galatians 5:22 lists the fruits of the spirit, which includes KINDNESS. The “fruit” coming out of our lives should include being kind to one another.It’s absolutely amazing to me at just how UNKIND people can be.  How children, teenagers, grown adults and even senior adults, can be so unkind!  And all the while saying that they love God!Jesus tells us the greatest commandment is to “love God and love your neighbor” (Matthew 22: 37-38). We love others through the kindness we show them. The simple act of BEING KIND will draw others to God.Are we setting an example of kindness in our marriages and our families? Are we teaching our children and teenagers the power of kindness to others?  Do we show kindness even to total strangers, or people that we don’t agree with or share the same beliefs?

If it is God’s kindness that leads people to repentance, it most certainly will be our own kindness that leads lost people to a loving God!

What if we woke up each morning deciding to be intentional with our kindness that day?  What a different day we would have!

What if:

*You allowed that mother with small children to go ahead of you in line at the grocery store?*Paid for a stranger’s meal at a restaurant*Made dinner for a friend after a hard week at work*Offered the mailman/lady or UPS driver a cool drink of water as they delivered your mail *Mowed the yard of an elderly neighbor*Sent flowers to your child’s teacher just as a “thank you” for all their hard work*Wrote a sweet note of appreciation to your pastor, small group leader, or prayer partner*Help an elderly person load groceries into their car*Hold the door open for people coming behind you*Look the cashier or retail salesperson in the eye and tell them “thank you” for taking care of you*Made a phone call to the person that popped into your mind, offering them your prayers*Leave a generous tip to your waitperson in the restaurant for a job well done*Volunteer at a local school to give the teachers/aides a break*Visit a nursing home with your children to let the elderly know that they are not forgotten

WHAT IF...because of your kindness, people came to know God?

If it is God’s kindness that leads people to repentance… then it most certainly will be our kindness that leads people to a loving, caring, and a forgiving God!Let’s show our world what true, genuine KINDNESS looks like!Let’s change the reputation of how our world sees Christians!Do something KIND today!