Be REAL!! Be KIND!!

(In our Jesus Discovery Group, we are currently discussing "Grace and Truth" [John 1:14-18]. "[Jesus] came from the Father, full of grace and truth." The OT equivalent is "Mercy and Truth", so I thought I'd share these blog posts which I posted in August 07.)

Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. (3:3-4, NKJ)

So summing up… (read the previous posts starting here!)… we’ve read that we need to keep this pair, mercy and truth, with us all the time. But how does that work out in our everyday lives? How do we show mercy?… how do we show truth?… to those around us.

Well, my thought is, live as Jesus lived. Display His qualities in our lives.

Okay, that is easily said, but it is not easily DONE. We have this sin nature inside us that would want to do everything else but be merciful and honest. So in and of ourselves it is an impossible task.

For instance, how could we be gracious and merciful to someone who’s just ripped us off, or who as slandered us? How can we be completely honest when it means damaging our reputation? How can we speak the truth to someone when the truth might hurt?

Well, that is where we need help. We can’t do it alone!! And the good news is that Jesus is the answer.

“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:16, NLT)

And Paul, in two of his letters, explains how to work that out in our daily lives. To the Ephesians he said:

“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

"So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

"If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

"And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:21-32, NLT)

And here’s what Paul said to the Colossian church:

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

"So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful." (Colossians 3:1-15, NLT)

And in Jesus, we have the means to be able to do all that. If we have surrendered our lives to Him, we can do it, because it is not we who do it, but He in us. We can show that little kindness, share that friendly smile. We can be open and genuine with those we come in contact with. We won’t have to wear a “mask”… we can be ourselves. We won’t have to try and impress.

So in a practical sense, let’s stop trying to be who we are not. Let people see the person that God has made us.

And let’s look for ways to show a kindness to someone….

… TODAY!!! …

… especially someone who is undeserving, because that is how we were before God. That’s why we needed His mercy and grace! And since He has blessed us so, let us be that blessing to someone else.

In other words, BE REAL and BE KIND!!!