Chapter 291—In Kindness
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of
mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.
Colossians 3:12
.
Let the law of kindness be upon your lips and the oil of grace in your
heart. This will produce wonderful results. You will be tender, sympathetic,
courteous. You need all these graces. The Holy Spirit must be received and
brought into your character; then it will be as holy fire, giving forth incense
which will rise up to God, not from lips that condemn, but as a healer of the
souls of men. Your countenance will express the image of the divine.... By
beholding the character of Christ you will become changed into His likeness.
The grace of Christ alone can change your heart and then you will reflect the
image of the Lord Jesus. God calls upon us to be like Him—pure, holy, and
undefiled. We are to bear the divine image....
The Lord Jesus is our only helper. Through His grace we shall learn to
cultivate love, to educate ourselves to speak kindly and tenderly. Through
His grace our cold, harsh manners will be transformed. The law of kindness
will be upon our lips, and those who are under the precious influences of the
Holy Spirit, will not feel that it is an evidence of weakness to weep with those
who weep, to rejoice with them that rejoice. We are to cultivate heavenly
excellences of character. We are to learn what it means to have good-will
toward all men, a sincere desire to be as sunshine and not as shadow in the
lives of others.
Seize every opportunity to contribute to the happiness of those around
you, sharing with them your affection. Words of kindness, looks of sympathy,
expressions of appreciation, would to many a struggling, lonely one be as a
cup of cold water to a thirsty soul....
Live in the sunshine of the Saviour’s love. Then your influence will bless
the world. Let the Spirit of Christ control you. Let the law of kindness be
ever on your lips. Forbearance and unselfishness mark the words and actions
of those who are born again, to live the new life in Christ.
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