“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…” – Colossians 3:12

Scripture reading: Colossians 3:1-17

Paul is writing to the church in Colossae, and begins chapter 3 saying, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is…” These words, then, are not only for Colossae, but for all who have been raised with Christ, for all believers. After telling us the things we are to put off, he turns to those things we are to put on. For Paul, to seek the things that are above includes putting on compassionate hearts, kindness, and the like.

The fifth fruit of the Spirit is kindness, and like the others this is a communicable attribute of God. God is kind, and when God the Holy Spirit dwells in you, it follows that you too will be kind. In Romans 2:4 Paul points out that God is patient and kind, and we should not presume or take His kindness for granted. It is meant to lead us to repentance.

Kindness is having good will toward others. It’s inner quality, a warm and tender-heartedness that expresses itself when we are friendly, considerate, compassionate, and generous. Ephesians 4:32 expresses it well: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Love is patient, love is kind. Does that describe you? Are you kind?

Suggestions for prayer

Pray that the Holy Spirit would so work in you, that others will know you as a kind person. Ask forgiveness for those times when you were not kind to others.

Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.