A Greater Kindness
Lately on the news, I’ve noticed people demonstrating in the streets with placards touting KINDNESS MATTERS and BE KIND. Often, though sadly, they don’t seem so kind.
We know kindness is a characteristic God prizes and His character quality. It flows from Jesus’ Spirit living within us to be demonstrated to those around us. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
I want to take this a step further today though. I was sharing recently with a group of women something I remember learning about God. He possesses a unique form of kindness that only He possesses. The word describing this kindness as His character quality is “hesed” in the Hebrew and is translated “lovingkindness.”
I spent some time recently studying that word and found that it “combines the ideas of unconditional love, generosity, and ending commitment. It is a loyal, steadfast, and unfailing love” according to several definitions.
In other words, God’s love for you is beyond any love or kindness you can imagine. God’s love, unlike human love, is not fickle, flighty, nor does it change. God’s love is steadfast and permanent.
There is absolutely nothing you can do to cause God to stop loving you. Look at Peter who denied Jesus three times. Thinking he had completely blown it, he returned to fishing. Yet Jesus waited for him on the beach after His resurrection with fish to share and a mission for him to complete.
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’
‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’
Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’
The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’ (John 21:15-17)
This brings me so much comfort. No matter how badly we blow it, Jesus always offers forgiveness if we sincerely repent confessing our sin and turning from it. His lovingkindness surpasses life and extends to eternity. It is steadfast, sure, promised, and irrevocable.
I hope we will each choose to repent and at the same time choose to forgive ourselves. If Jesus forgives you, who are you to question His judgement? Are you greater than God? Forgive yourself and go forward with confidence and peace. Blessings, dear friend.
I hope you will email and let me know how we can pray for you. As part of the Your Refreshed Life family we care about you and would love to know how to pray more specifically for your needs as we journey together in this life. Contact me at info {@} yourrefreshedlife.com
