Changing our Clothes

“Thanks again EBC for the ongoing gestures of love and kindness.” I’ve been pondering this little note left on our church prayer-site, on facebook. It is written by a widow who is moving away from us. I say, away from us, as in our/her church family. We are sad and delighted at the same time- such is the quality of our relationship. She is moving closer to her daughter, hence moving a few hundred kilometres away from us.

As I have been walking along through the month of September with kindness on my mind, I’ve considered the following: Christians should be the ones who consistently bear this fruit as an outpouring of our faith. Kindness produces a sweet harvest, and the Holy Spirit is aching to bear this fruit in your life and in mine.

I love how the apostle Paul speaks about kindness as an item of clothing for us to wear:

“And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”

(Colossians 3:12,13)

Earlier in Colossians, he speaks about putting to death:

'immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed which amounts to idolatry."

(Col. 3: 5)

and goes on to say:

"put off: anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech from your mouth.”

(Col. 3: 8)

Some of us change our clothes several times a day; some of us only do it once. Regardless, as we get dressed, we can be reminded of our spiritual clothing. We would do well to consider “putting on” kindness and “discarding” sexual impurity and greed, as seen in verse five and character-destroying conversation, as seen in verse eight.

Could someone say to you today: “Thank you for your ongoing acts of love and kindness?” We can lavish this fruit of the Spirit on those around us, pointing them to the Saviour; to Jesus who poured out His kindness by shedding His blood, bearing our sins on the cross. And, as seen in my friend’s short note to the church, it must be demonstrated to fellow believers as well as to the world at large.

It may cost us, this kindness. Maybe we think a little too highly of ourselves; maybe we consider that rich neighbour as snobby and therefore we couldn't be bothered showing a kindness to them.  Or maybe we are called to reach out to someone who we think is unlovely-someone who doesn’t smell too good, someone who does not have a change of clothes. Go ahead, give them the shirt off your back; demonstrate true kindness. After all, I am so sure you have another shirt at home and the kindness given is the perfect shirt to give away.