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The Cornerstone
This is the Stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the Chief Conerstone." Acts 4:11
Pulbished to Support the Work of the West End Church of Christ, Richmond, Virginia
Volume 7 * Number 2* January 14, 2007
Kindness
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Colossians 3:12-13
This passage of Scripture says to put on kindness. Kindness, therefore, is not a character trait that is naturally worn. For some it might come quite naturally, and for others it can be a real challenge. But all of God’s children must learn to put it on.
Kindness is known by it’s charitable acts – being considerate of others, offering encouraging words, being of a helpful disposition, and being gentle in nature. God’s kingdom is to be full of warm hearted citizens. A good example of kindness is what the natives on the island of Melita did when strangers washed upon their ashore from a shipwreck -"they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold." Acts 28:2 They showed great kindness unto people whom they did not even know.
Kindness is character trait that people quite naturally are drawn to as opposed to meanness an cruelty. Proverbs 19:22 reads, "The desire of a man is his kindness:…" This is why God’s people are to put on kindness. People are drawn to those of a friendly spirit.
In Galatians 5:22, a fruit of the Spirit is "kindness" translated "gentleness" in the King James Version. It is a fruit that Christians must bear. When pressed by our enemies, what would God have us to do? "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:20-21 For most that is not easy, but this is what must be done if we are to put on kindness. For every evil action of our enemy takes we must counter it with kindness.
Peter said to add to our faith "brotherly kindness" II Peter 1:7. Among the brethren there must be a spirit of kindness. A congregation filled with brotherly kindness will draw people to Christ. Here is how we do it, Ephesians 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you." We show kindness to one another. We show compassion and forgiveness, we put away bitterness, anger, and evil speaking which will turn people away. Those outside of Christ will be drawn to God’s people who share brotherly love.
A child of God will not hammer away at mankind, but will melt the hearts of men with kindness.
Stacy Crim
COSMETIC RELIGION
Dan S. Shipley
In the seven "woes" pronounced by Jesus in Matt. 23 are to be found the most severe and scathing rebukes recorded in the entire Bible. In His condemnation of these hypocritical scribes and Pharisees, Jesus likens them unto whited sepulchers, "...which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." Then He continues, "Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but inwardly ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity" (V.27, 28).
Because men are impressed and influenced by outward appearances (1 Sam. 16:7), and because we all like the approval of others, we must be very careful not to play the role of the hypocrite. Our righteousness must be more than appearance, it must be a way of life. We must develop a consistency of character that is not altered by circumstance or companions. We must avoid the mistake of these scribes and Pharisees and not allow ours to become a cosmetic religion—the kind that is seasonal and superficial and dependent on appearances. And the place to begin cultivating Christ-like character is in the heart and in the home.
Let's face it! What a person is at home is what he is! Nowhere is true character more obvious—no pretense, no false airs here. And nowhere is a demonstration of spiritual character more needed! Every wife needs the kind of husband who will heed God's admonition to love her "as Christ also loved the church" (Eph. 5:25); who will have regard for her needs, her interests and her feelings. Many neglected and mistreated wives wish their husbands were at home what they appear to be in public.
Likewise, men have few earthly blessings to enrich their lives more than a godly wife; one who manifests respect and subjection "as unto the Lord" (Eph. 5:24,33). Her chaste behavior, shamefastness, sobriety; her meek and quiet spirit and other such qualities reflect an inward adornment highly valued by the Lord (1 Pet. 3; 1 Tim. 2)—and by the discerning husband! How regrettable that some women have neglected such adornment in favor of the outward. Regardless of what wives seem to be in public, when they cease to be "keepers at home," they cease to please the Lord (Titus 2:5). When women become indifferent to God given responsibilities to husband and home, their religion merely becomes a part of their outward adornment—and the entire family suffers for it.
Consequently, children are hurt immeasurably by parents who practice cosmetic religion. Even little ones recognize the disparity between home and "church-building" conduct—and, in later years will not likely forget it. Parents would do well to begin every day with a vivid and fresh recollection that God wants them to rear their children for heaven! None helps or hinders their eternal welfare more than mother and daddy. But mark it well! Bringing up a child "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" is impossible!—for parents who do not live for the Lord. We must put away religious hypocrisy! Let us make a start—from the heart—beginning at home—today. Plain Talk Vol. 19, No. 7 September, 1982
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