Love is…kind.
1 Corinthians 13:4a
Yesterday, we looked at the first description of love as being patient. The next description of true love is that it is kind. What does this word mean?
If being patient is passive then being kind is actively moving towards someone in gentleness even in the face of their sin.
To actively seek to do good to those who try to hurt, destroy, or humiliate you.
To be considerate of someone else.
To slow down and “put yourself in someone else’s shoes” in order to figure out how you can move towards them in a helpful way.
To be empathetic and sympathetic even when they don’t deserve it.
To be morally excellent and good even when someone responds otherwise.
To respond with favor towards someone even though they may have done the opposite of earning favor.
To love someone in such a way where they are not burdened down by your unrealistic expectations (Matt. 11:28-30).
To embrace someone who tries to pull away from you.
To respond to a harsh word with a soft answer (Prov. 15:1).
If kindness is the active side to the passive side of patience, then how might this show us the kindness of Jesus who has moved towards us even when we have run away from Him?