Kindness is at the very heart of the Christian gospel. The Bible calls us to embody compassion, forgiveness, and love, and history shows us powerful examples of this lived out in the UK during the 20th century, such as the work of the British Red Cross during wartime relief efforts.
In reality, kindness is not optional for Christians. It is commanded. Scripture reminds us to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This verse captures the essence of kindness, rooted in God’s forgiveness and love. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus demonstrates kindness to the marginalised: the leper, the Samaritan woman and the tax collector, to name but three. His acts were not mere politeness but radical compassion that broke social barriers.
The book of Galatians lists kindness among the fruit of the Spirit, showing that it is evidence of God’s work within us. The Old Testament book of Proverbs shows how kindness can be transformative: “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Kindness heals, uplifts and restores. It is more than sentiment; it is action. It is feeding the hungry, comforting the grieving, forgiving the offender and speaking words that build up rather than tear down.
Christians are called to be “salt and light” in the world. Kindness is one of the most visible ways we shine God’s light. In families, kindness can soften conflicts, strengthen bonds, and teach children the value of love. In communities, random acts of kindness can include volunteering, visiting the lonely or helping a neighbour. In workplaces, kindness can transform environments, replace competition with cooperation and hostility with respect.
It’s contagious! One act of kindness inspires another, creating ripples that extend far beyond what we can see. If a car driver lets you out, you, like me, are more likely to let another driver out. A small act of kindness can have a significant impact on somebody else. Often a chain reaction results, where one act inspires another. During the crises of the 20th century, the British Red Cross exemplified this through their unwavering service, providing aid, comfort, and hope during two world wars. Their efforts showed that kindness thrives in everyday acts of service, even in dark times. In our modern world, where division and hostility often dominate headlines, the Christian message of kindness is more urgent than ever. We are called to forgive freely, just as Christ forgave us and to serve humbly by following Jesus’ example of washing His disciples’ feet. We are to love unconditionally by extending kindness even to those who oppose us.
But, please note, kindness is not weakness; it is strength. It reflects the character of God, who shows mercy and compassion to all. It is God’s love in action. The Bible teaches us to embody kindness daily, and history gives us many inspiring examples of extraordinary compassion.
This Christmas, let each of us rediscover, first, the kindness of God as explained in the Bible - ‘But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit . . . through Jesus Christ our Saviour,’ Titus 3. 4-6 (NIV). Believers should commit to being kind, not only in words but also in deeds. In so doing, we will become living witnesses of Christ’s love, bringing healing, hope, and light to a world in desperate need.
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