Where does kindness come from?
Nothing in the narrative of evolutionary biology can tell us why one human would act with compassion or thoughtfulness toward another. In a world where survival alone is supposed to be the highest goal, nothing disinterested happens. All human behaviors should only produce results for the one doing them.
Yet kindness exists. Parents nurture children, and not only to perpetuate their genetic line. Friends do “unnecessary” things for each other—providing emotional support in grief or loss or change. Even sworn enemies surprise us by laying down their weapons to offer comfort to the wounded.
The Bible tells us that all good things, including acts of kindness, grow from the kindness that began with God: “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17).
God’s enduring kindness toward each of us—for every human being is created in His image—flows from His heart of grace. “No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:39).
The grace of God moves every act of mercy and forgiveness. Receive that love. Then move the kindness forward.
And stay in grace. -Bill Knott
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: When Everything Changes (September 27, 2019)
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Willie Oliver: Men? Victims of Domestic Violence? (Sept 2019)
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Cliff's Edge: Invisible Spiders From Mars (Sept 2019)
GraceNotes: Drenched But Delighted (August 30, 2019)
Lael Caesar: Spiritual Abuse (September 2019)
Lael Caesar: Sacred Safe (September 2019)
David Fournier: Kidsafe Church (September 2019)
Stephen Chavez: See All The People (September 2019)
Wilona Karimabadi: Courage and Betrayal (September 2019)
Journeys With Jesus: The Audience of One (September 2019)
Searching The Obvious: The Taste of Gratitude (September 2019)
GraceNotes: Upending Our Economy (August 23, 2019)
GraceNotes: Untiring Grace (August 16, 2019)
GraceNotes: Grace Under Fire (August 9, 2019)
GraceNotes: The Number of Forgiveness (August 2, 2019)
Sarah Kannanaikkel: Beautiful, Wonderful Words (August 2019)
Transformation Tips: Five Levels of Personal Peace (August 2019)
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