By Brother Guy Ames

I have recently lost weight and had to replace most of my clothes.  Putting on my old “big” coat makes me look like a boy in his Dad’s closet.  Putting on new clothing gives me a better look.  Similarly, Paul contrasts the Colossians old   life as they embrace their new life in Christ and uses the image of new clothes.  He writes, “as God’s chosen…holy and loved, clothe yourselves with…kindness.”  The Greek word kindness, χρηστότης (chréstotés), means much more than our general use of that word. 

Kindness in New Testament is more than merely being nice. Kindness is more than an attitude; real kindness requires action.  God’s love and kindness for us has led him to offer his Son for our sakes.  Four other times Paul uses this word to talk about God’s nature.  In Romans 2 and 11 he writes that God’s kindness is intended to lead us to repentance.  In a similar manner, God’s kindness through us is a tool to show others the love and face of God.  These acts of kindness give opportunity for us to bring the light of Jesus to these others.  Kindness can become the first step in evangelism. As people see in us a genuine attitude of respect and care, we have opportunities to share about the One whose kindness has changed our lives.

This kind of “kindness” takes intentionality, time and prayer.  Everyday God places in our paths someone with whom we can offer real kindness, give time, share a meal, or even talk with a stranger.  Jesus paints a picture in the parable of the sheep and goats at the end of the age that gives us a clue.  Those welcomed learned that their life-style of feeding the hungry, visiting the sick or imprisoned, offering drink to the thirsty were the very acts that qualified them for the new age.  These had never intended to get credit for these acts of kindness – they simply acted because people had need and they could respond.

This kind of kindness can open others to the very nature of God.  Often our “acts of kindness” are limited to helping out on a church serving project, all the while we haven’t taken time for to serve those closest to us.  I have two different sets of neighbors nearest me, Bill and Marlene, older and in poor health live across from a young Ukranian refugee family, Taurus and Oksana.  Regularly, Marlene and Bill share groceries and Oksana shares a cooked dish.  Watching these neighbors connect paints a picture for me. 

Putting on the new clothes of kindness takes some time and intention.  Look at ourselves in the mirror, what does kindness look like on us.  God is placing on our path daily those to whom he has already invited us to engage.  Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear how the Spirit is leading, the opportunity lies at our doorstep.  Try on those new clothes for size and see how it fits, I know you will like the new look.