Basic HTML Version
Be Kind and Tenderhearted, August 19
Being a God Neighbor
Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32
Let the tenderness and mercy that Jesus has revealed in His own
precious life be an example to us of the manner in which we should treat
our fellow beings.... Many have fainted and become discouraged in the
great struggle of life, whom one word of kindly cheer and courage would
have strengthened to overcome.... We cannot tell how far reaching may
be our tender words of kindness, our Christ-like efforts to lighten some
burden. The erring can be restored in no other way than in the spirit of
meekness, gentleness, and tender love.
In all your transactions with your fellow men never forget that you are
dealing with God’s property. Be kind; be pitiful; be courteous. Respect
God’s purchased possession. Treat one another with tenderness and
courtesy.
If you have enmity, suspicion, envy, and jealousy in your hearts, you
have a work to do to make these things right. Confess your sins; come
into harmony with your brethren. Speak well of them. Throw out no
unfavorable hints, no suggestions that will awaken distrust in the minds
of others. Guard their reputation as sacredly as you would have them
guard yours; love them as you would be loved of Jesus.
The grace of God leads men to place themselves in all their business
transactions in the place of those with whom they are dealing. It leads
men to look not only on their own things but also on the things of others.
It leads them to reveal tenderness, sympathy, and kindness. Cherishing a
right spirit, living a holy life—this is what being Christlike means....
Let your life be controlled by the wide, generous principles of the
Bible, the principles of good will, kindness, and courtesy.
[236]
246