Being kind (Luke 6:37)

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. (Luke 6:37 NASB)

In this discourse, Jesus has been teaching about how to treat others, particularly our enemies. This verse deals not only with how we treat our enemies, but others as well. Once again, Jesus has given a general instruction (treat others the way you want to be treated) and now He is giving a more specific description of how to do that. If you don't want to be judged or condemned, don't judge or condemn. If you want to be pardoned, be quick to pardon others. This verse leaves no room for a haughty, prideful spirit, does it? 

The instructions here could be summed up in two words:  Be kind. Now being kind is not quite all there is to this. We must be kind to everyone, and we need to mean it. The attitude with which we act matters greatly to God. It's one thing to ACT in a kind manner. It's another thing entirely to BE kind. Being kind implies that you have a spirit of kindness, free from a judgemental, critical attitude. 

I like the way The Message paraphrases this verse:

“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier.” (Luke 6:37, 38 MSG)

"Be easy on people..." It's harder than you might think, but vitally important as you strive to demonstrate Christ to a world without Him. Begin today to "be easy on people".  The best place to start is with those enemies we've been talking about, and not just the people who have wronged you but also those people who irritate you on a regular basis. Be easy on them, and you will find it much easier to "be easy" on everyone else. 

Pray today that we will treat everyone (especially our loved ones) with the kindness that flows from a heart that is kind. 

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Link to last night's post: http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/04/my-spiritual-encounter-with-dental.html