Are You Kind?

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10 NIV)

Uh oh! So yeah, I came across this today and yup, something rose up and that small voice inside was there asking me, "how do you treat others? Not, how does it look like you treat others but how do you actually and truthfully treat them; are you kind to them?" I couldn't honestly answer that with the answer I knew I want to. I have rolled my eyes and sighed under my breath at others (usually behind their back) probably half a dozen times this week alone and with as much time as I spend at church I can almost bet that some of these times was towards fellow believers.

So knowing that kindness is one of the fruits of the spirit; why are there so many unkind Christians (myself included at times)? Honestly, and I am being transparent here, we get too self-absorbed with our own lives, our own issues, and our own little world that we can't even conceive that there are others that are in similar or even worse circumstances than what we are going through. So after reading Galatians 6:10 and seeing that Paul is instructing the church to first, do good (be kind) to all people and (this is where it cuts even deeper), to do good (be kind) especially to other believers. It was clearly evident that I haven't always "done good" to ALL people including my fellow brothers & sisters in the Lord. 

I have since gone to the Lord in prayer and humbly asked for forgiveness and help in this area. But now all you Church-going-on-fire-bible-quotin' Christians think about this; when was the last act of kindness that you showed to your fellow believer? For example, when was the last time (if ever) that you gave up your seat at the service, or held the door open for someone, or offered to give someone a ride to church, or offered to serve in a department that you normally wouldn't, or better yet; when was the last time you just got alone in your quiet place at home or where ever and just prayed for members of your church?

I don't say all this to be judgmental because as you now know I too have fallen short, we all have, but I say it in hopes that you will actually stop and think about it from a truthful and logical perspective. When I did I saw an area in my own life that needs some improvement. So just ask yourself these tough questions and when you get the answers back that expose areas that need work; just pray, get it right, and ask God to help you in that area. He will.

Take Care & God Bless,

-E