by Annie Warner Donnelly
Hello Everyone. Pastor J. Alfred Johnson II is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Some years ago, he wrote a document called “The Kindness Crusade.” Kindness emerges from love and is considered a Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22.
In his introduction, Pastor Johnson wrote: “To be ‘kind’ means to be gentle, thoughtful, good-hearted and considerate in both our behaviour and deeds. And ‘crusade’ means any vigorous or concerted movement for a cause. So, in short, Kindness Crusade means an enthusiastic and deliberate effort to be kind to everyone we can whenever, wherever, and however we can!”
The first verse he quoted was Romans 12:10 – “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly (and sisterly) love, in honour giving preference to one another …”
Honour places high value on a person. Our family and friends, even strangers, may never be honoured with a medal, the Nobel Peace Prize or an Academy Award, but they’ve been honoured by God though the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His offer of eternal life. We’re to love as Jesus loves. We’re to love the same people Jesus loves. Honouring one another is a part of loving one another.
Together, Gary Smalley and John Trent wrote a book called, “The Blessing”. Referencing the story of Issac’s interaction with Jacob and Esau, the authors detail five blessings, all elements of kindness:
- Meaningful Touch
- A Spoken Message
- Attaching High Value
- Picturing a Special Future
- Making an Active Commitment
Maybe no one has ever blessed us with these five elements of love and kindness, but our Heavenly Father sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to earth proving that He attaches high value to us.
His words that we read in the Bible prove that He has made an active commitment to us. His words promise a special future for each of us, and God never breaks His promises!
Could the kindness found in these five elements of a Biblical blessing make a difference in our lives or in a troubling relationship we’re facing today? Absolutely! May we pass on to others the love and kindness God offers to us today. Amen