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In Kindness, August 25
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.
Colossians 3:12
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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.
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Seize every opportunity to contribute to the happiness of those around you,
sharing with them your affection. Words of kindness, looks of sympathy, expres-
sions 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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