Love is longsuffering, love is kind … 1 Corinthians 13:4

Another aspect of God’s quality of love is kindness. One who is kind is described as having a good or benevolent nature or disposition, which will put others at ease. This is not an aspect of the human nature.

All turned away. They altogether became useless. There are no doers of kindness, there is not even one. – Romans 3:12

Unlike anywhere else in Scripture, here in first Corinthians Love is defined as a verb, where all other times it is a noun or adjective. Kindness is expressed in how we make others feel at ease around us not so much in an emotional sense, but an ease of mind, due to expressing a benevolent nature. This is the kind of person you feel comfortable around, not because they agree with you, on the contrary they are typically the ones that will call you out for doing wrong, but they do not judge, they do not speak harshly, mock, make fun of, or embarrass others. They are just good people to be around who understand the importance of having a benevolent disposition towards others.

If we want our lives to have a big impact on others, we need to pay attention to what God does, for it is the kindness of God that leads us to a change of mind, not hell, fire and damnation.

Or do you think little of the riches of His kindness, and tolerance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the kindness from God leads you into a change of mind – Romans 2:4

Without God showing us kindness, we would not be saved; therefore, this should be our same attitude and actions towards others so that perhaps we will have an opportunity to share with them the hope that we have.

But when the kindness and the fondness of humans from God our Savior appeared, not out from works, the ones in righteousness we had done, but according to His mercy He saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing from the Holy Spirit – Titus 3:4,5

Grace is an aspect of kindness. Grace is God’s attitude whereby He gives a benefit without consideration of merit. Kindness involves making the one shown grace feel mentally at ease with the benefit received.

that in the ages to come He should show the exceeding riches of His grace by kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7

As the elect of God, we are to put on kindness. That is, our lives and actions should put others at ease around us, because we are manifesting the new nature we have in Christ that is good and benevolent. Yes, out of love we will call out another saint for doing wrong. For unbelievers, we will encourage them to take God as His word, which will free them from their sinful lives. We don’t judge them, we are not here for that, but at the same time we will not associate with their wicked ways. But rather than telling them they are going to hell or pointing out what they are doing is wrong and against God, we should be showing them by our lifestyle why we have hope, a hope that they do not possess.

Therefore, put on, as an outer garment, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, tenderness of compassions, kindness, humility, objectivity of mind, longsuffering, enduring one another and being gracious to yourselves. If perhaps anyone has a complaint towards another, just as the Lord was gracious to you thus also you [be gracious]. And above all these things, love, which is the bond of maturity. – Colossians 3:12-14

The world wants to mimic this action by appearing to be kind towards others in the way it speaks and what it gives them, but this is not really coming from a benevolent nature, for its intent in acting this way is to get something from them. Kindness is expressing a benevolent nature towards others that results in a good disposition that makes them feel at ease around you. As an aspect of grace, we do not express kindness with giving consideration as to whether the person deserves it but because it is a manifestation of who we are in Christ. As ones not judging, but truthful. As ones who are friendly but refuses to act contrary to our morals. As ones who show the hope that we have through our lifestyle, not our words. Let us always remember, it is the kindness of God that leads to repentance.