2 Peter 1:5-7, For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
2 Peter 1:7 (NKJV), to godliness brotherly kindness . . .
What Does Biblical Kindness Look Like?
1) FORGE your friendships with trust.
Ephesians 4:25, Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
❖ Everyone should be able to trust us because we practice honesty with kindness.
2) FREE your relationships from anger.
Ephesians 4:26-27, “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
❖ Nothing can do more harm more quickly than anger.
3) FEED someone who is hungry.
Ephesians 4:28, Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
❖ We can’t do everything, but we can do something.
4) FORTIFY others with your words.
Ephesians 4:29, Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
❖ Never underestimate the power of a kind word.
5) FLUSH bitterness out of your spirit.
Ephesians 4:30-31, And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
❖ A bitter spirit does two things at once: it grieves the Holy Spirit, and it delights the Devil.
6) FIND new ways to practice kindness.
Ephesians 4:32, Be kind and compassionate to one another . . .
❖ Our opportunities to be kind are virtually infinite.
7) FORGIVE others as Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32, . . . forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
❖ Never forget that we have experienced the power of forgiveness firsthand.
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10, Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more.