Being Kind

"Love is kind." "The fruit of the Spirit is . . . "kindness."
We are called to be a kindhearted people. But what does that look like in the life of one of God's children. If you "trace" the use of the word "kindness" throughout the New Testament, you will find that it is always used in context with another Christian imperative: forgiveness. To be kind, I must be committed to being forgiving. 
"Put on a heart of kindness . . . bearing with one another, forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ Jesus also has forgiven you."
"Putting aside all malice, and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander . . . if you have tasted that the Lord is kind?"
Our forgiveness rests on the kindness of God. We, sinful and at enmity with God, received forgiveness because of His kindness. How complete was His forgiveness? How freely was it given? What could we do to earn it? We must freely give such tenderhearted, kind forgiveness to others if we are to be a reflection of God's character. To not forgive freely and completely is to blaspheme His character. "Or do you take lightly the richness of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads to repentance?"
"But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us . . ." And His kindness is eternal, endless, "in order that in the ages to come, He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
When I reflect on His kindness leading me to repentance, when I reflect on His kindness in saving me not on the basis of my character or actions, but solely out of the abundance of His tenderhearted kindness and grace, how can I not respond to others but by forgiving them freely and fully? To not do so flows from a prideful heart that believes that I deserved His forgiveness, but those who have hurt me do not. Is there any more arrogant lust of the flesh than the pride that believes that I am worthy of His kindhearted forgiveness while others are not? I, totally undeserving of it, have by the kindness of God been led to repentance, fully and completely forgiven, and He commands me to be kind and forgive others just as God in Christ has forgiven me.
"To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for this purpose that you might inherit a blessing."
Is your heart's desire that He make you a blessing? Then, lovingly, freely, kindly, and completely forgive in the same way that He has--because He is kind--forgiven you and blessed you with His eternal kindness.