So Today we come to the sixth law of scouting:  A scout is kind. 

The first entry in the manual reads:

"He is a friend to animals.  He will not hurt or kill any living creature needlessly, but will strive to save and protect all harmless life. "(p. 15)

Which is certainly a good habit to get into.  Later on in the chapter discussing moral issues and chivalry the manual offers this definition of a scout’s kindness:

The habit of thinking well of others and doing good to them.  (p. 247)

Let’s go to the Christian’s “manual” for some greater insight.  Jesus said,

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.”  Luke 6.35

I’d like to make a few observations about this Scripture,

1.       A kind-hearted Christian loves those who will not return their love.

2.      Our acts of kindness should be done without any expectation of reciprocity.

3.      God will GREATLY reward acts of kindness done in this spirit.

4.      The entire world will know that you belong to God when you do acts of kindness in this spirit.

5.      Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of being kind-imitate Him and you can’t go wrong.

Paul wrote,

‘Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has also forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4.32

            This passage is directed toward the community of Christians or more plainly-the church. 

Take a close look here.  We are to,

1.       Be kind to one another.

2.      Tender-hearted.

3.      Forgiving each other, in the same manner as Christ had forgiven us.  That means there should not be a limit to how many or what kinds of offenses we forgive among our brothers and sisters.  I shudder to think of what my life would be like if Jesus drew some kind of a line and said, “I’ll not forgive you of that or I’ll not forgive you anymore.”  That would be terrible-yet I see Christians do this to each other all the time. 

Paul wrote elsewhere that one of the characteristics of Christian love is kindness;

“Love is patient, love is kind…”  I Corinthians 13. 4a. 

The idea of kindness conjured images of helping others.  It leads us to think of compassion shown by serving other’s needs.  Kindness would include doing no harm to people or animals.  Kindness means overlooking others faults and shortcomings.  Kindness means being sympathetic to the suffering of others and doing what we can to alleviate it.   

            I have been fortunate to be the recipient of a LOT of kindness, too many times to even remember.  One example of so many is Tuesday lunches.  That’s on my mind because I just got back to work from lunch.  Just about every Tuesday for the last five years Wayne, Willard, John or Charlie O has bought my lunch.  I have only paid one time in five years.  That’s over 200 lunches!  It’s a small kindness that has really added up.  Those guys are a real blessing to me-not so much for the lunches, though that is greatly appreciated, but for the friendship and fellowship.  Of course, I could go on.  Right now, Ron is up on the roof fixing the swamp cooler so we all won’t roast in our own juices Sunday-it goes on and on.  Kindness is in vogue here at BRBC!  What are some of the kindnesses you have received?  Is there any one instance that really stands out in your mind?  Share it with us. 

            Lord, we have all received many kindnesses over the years and for them we are truly grateful.  We especially than You, Lord, for Your great and wonderful kindnesses given to us each day-most of all Your saving grace.  Amen