To Know Jesus is to Know Kindness

Kindness Day 4

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her…” 

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:7,11

“It’s your kindness that leads us to repentance, oh Lord, knowing that you love us, no matter what we do makes us want to love you too.” Leslie Phillips

 

  • Call your prayer partner for your 10-minute prayer call. Keep it short, but meaningful. Don’t forget to invite the Holy Spirit to guide your words as you talk and pray together.
  • Take a few minutes to pray and ask God to speak to your heart today. He loves you more than you could ever know and wants you to come to Him with every burden of your heart.
  • Open your Bible and read John 8:2-11. 

To Know Jesus is to Know Kindness

When I was young, one of my favorite songs was “Your Kindness” by Leslie Phillips. I listened to it over and over on cassette tape. I had not heard that song since my cassette player broke and CDs became mainstream, but the words stayed with me. I recently found the song on YouTube, and I want you to listen to it. It is about a timeless truth: His kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4b).

 

 

Today we read the story of the woman caught in adultery. According to the Law, she deserved to be stoned to death. The Pharisees wanted to trap Jesus, so they asked Him what He had to say. Jesus said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her,” (John 8:7). Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground.

One by one, the accusers walked away. She was alone with Jesus. Jesus was the only one without sin. He was the one who could have thrown the first stone, and yet what did He do? He did not condemn her, but set her free to leave her life of sin (John 8:11).

Jesus does not condemn you for your sins either. He loves you and says to you, as He said to the adulterous woman, “… neither do I condemn you… go now and leave your life of sin.” Jesus exudes kindness, and He extends his kindness to you.

In fact, while you were still a sinner Christ died for you (Romans 5:8).

When we experience the kindness of Jesus, we no longer want to sin. We want to repent. By the power of the Holy Spirit, He sets us free from our life of sin. Jesus says that “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,” (John 8:36). Praise God!

If you are struggling with accepting Christ’s forgiveness and want to experience His freedom, start by confessing your sins to God. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Next, repent of your sins. A simplified explanation of repentance is to turn away from your sins and move in the other direction. Billy Graham explains that repentance is not penance, remorse or self-condemnation. Rather, repentance is conviction, contrition (sincere regret over your sin), and change – change your mind, your attitude, and your ways.

From my experience, repentance may not be easy. It is a moment-by-moment, day-by-day decision you have to make to follow Jesus, but God will help you by the power of His Holy Spirit.

Questions to Ponder

  • How can you extend this kindness to the people in your life? Is there anyone you need to forgive? Ask God to help you forgive as He forgave you.
  • For more information on repentance visit: True Repentance, True Change by Billy Graham.

Faith-Filled Idea

  • Write Colossians 3:12-17 on a note card and hang it on your bathroom mirror. As you get dressed each morning, read it and pray. Remember to clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love each day.
  • Teach your children Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” The verses you teach them will stay with them throughout their lives. God says in Isaiah 55:11: “[my Word] will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Kindness day 4

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Jennifer Valdois
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12 Comments on “To Know Jesus is to Know Kindness”

  1. “Waiting for angry words to sear my soul…suddenly the kindest words I ever heard come flooding [to my heart].” Apparently I learned the song wrong! But nevermind, this song brings back memories of learning that is God is full of kindness, compassion, patience, and love. Thanks for this Godly reminder!

    1. It is such a great story! We can be so hard on ourselves for “big” sins and everyday, “I’ve messed up again” sins. But if Jesus forgave her, we know he forgives us too!

  2. This study is so beautiful! I love that it is the *kindness* of the Lord that brings us to repentance and a right relationship with Him. I need to remember that in my own relationships. Kindness is the most influential response we can have toward others!

    1. That’s so true, Tara! And so interesting that kindness and forgiveness seem to go hand in hand.

  3. I agree MariJo! That when we experience the love of Jesus and desire that personal relationship with him we naturally want to repent and change our ways!
    Goes along with the verse from 2 Corinthians 5:17
    “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
    Thank you Jennifer for such a beautiful study!

  4. Thanks so much for this wonderful Bible study Jennifer! It’s so easy to forget that God is with us and loves us even when we fall. His love is deeper and more faithful than any love we could ever know on this earth. He is amazing!

    1. He is amazing, Deb! I want to live with this realization every day. We forget how much he loves us and we want to be the first to throw a stone at ourselves when we mess up. But God removes our sins as far as the East is from the West!

  5. This study on kindness is so touching and beautiful! I love this, “When we experience the kindness of Jesus, we no longer want to sin. We want to repent. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, He sets us free from our life of sin.” This has been and still is my continuing testimony! Thanks Jennifer!!

    1. Thank you, MariJo! God is so patient with us, forgiving us over and over. His mercies are new every morning!

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