BEING A KIND HUMAN

There is great deal of emphasis now (last 50 years) on the importance of being a kind person. This thinking flows from several streams. From scripture, it is one of the nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). From most major religions and especially Buddhism, kindness and mindfulness is emphasized. Jesus said, “I want kindness more than I want animal sacrifices”(Matthew 9:13). 

A kind person is generous, helpful, and thinking about other people’s feelings. This is very similar to the Golden Rule: “Do to others what you want them to do to you” (Matthew 7:12). “Humanism, as a philosophy, generally denotes a focus on human well-being and advocates for human freedom, autonomy and progress. It views humanity as responsible for the promotion and development of individuals, espouses the equal and inherent dignity of all human beings.” (Wikipedia) I don’t think any Christian acquainted with the Sermon on the Mount could have much issue with these definitions. To know the value of kindness is to have been around unkindness.

Being a kind person is a Kingdom value and simply a human decency value. Though someone may be kind and generous and become an outstanding person and neighbor, there is a missing element. Being is good human makes us all better. The difference to me is that the Good News of the gospel makes us new while making us better. We have a Redeemer who has given us new life, not just better life. We can worship the One who has done this or we can worship ourselves for becoming ‘better people.’

“I tell you the truth, unless you are born from water and the Spirit, you cannot enter God’s kingdom. Human life comes from human parents, but spiritual life comes from the Spirit. Don’t be surprised when I tell you, ‘You must all be born again.’” Jesus