Saturday, September 20, 2014

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

 

Doing Good 

 

Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do GOOD to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your REWARD will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is KIND to the ungrateful and wicked.

 

It always baffles me when I encounter rude people who work in SERVICE related jobs such as fast food restaurants. My husband, on the other hand, thrives in these situations. When encountered with a disgruntled worker, he smiles and says, "How are you today?" Taken aback that someone actually cares, the individual's demeanor usually changes and a friendly exchange normally occurs.

 

Some would say that it is not OUR responsibility to be friendly since we are the customers! However, we both realize that we have a greater purpose than getting a hamburger in those five minutes. Rather, it is OUR responsibility to show God's love through the action of KINDNESS.

 

It's very easy to feel justified in our animosity or responses towards others when they have truly been hurtful in their actions or words. But today's verse reveals that God expects for us to EVEN extend kindness to the "ungrateful and wicked" and  those individuals who do not reciprocate our kind efforts.

 

Webster defines being "kind" as "of a sympathetic or helpful nature."

Kind people take time to sympathize with others and to consider the reasons for their actions. When someone responds rudely, it often has NOTHING to do with you. It may be a result of personal difficulties. As Christians, we should respond in such a way that brings life to their hopeless circumstances.

 

In all of your interactions with people--family, friends, strangers and foes--a very important question to ask yourself is: "What is the end result that I want to achieve with this person?" If you are in a conflict with someone and you want it resolved, your responses HAVE to be clothed in KINDNESS. Cruelty only FUELS more cruelty.

 

My personal end goal in ALL of my dealings with people is that I want them to see Christ in my life. There are times I fall short of that goal, but I try to shape all of my actions and words around that goal.

 

It takes genuine effort to be truly kind. I challenge you today to always make that effort. By doing so, your life will be much more satisfying.

 

Dear Lord, Help me to sympathize with others so that I can show them the same kindness that You have shown to me.

 

I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

 

 Reflection:  Do others see Christ in the manner in which you respond to others --- especially to those who may be experiencing difficult situations?