Where does kindness come from?
Nothing in the narrative of evolutionary biology can tell us why one human would act with compassion or thoughtfulness toward another. In a world where survival alone is supposed to be the highest goal, nothing disinterested happens. All human behaviors should only produce results for the one doing them.
Yet kindness exists. Parents nurture children, and not only to perpetuate their genetic line. Friends do “unnecessary” things for each other—providing emotional support in grief or loss or change. Even sworn enemies surprise us by laying down their weapons to offer comfort to the wounded.
The Bible tells us that all good things, including acts of kindness, grow from the kindness that began with God: “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17).
God’s enduring kindness toward each of us—for every human being is created in His image—flows from His heart of grace. “No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:39).
The grace of God moves every act of mercy and forgiveness. Receive that love. Then move the kindness forward.
And stay in grace. -Bill Knott
Enoch Was A Daddy, Too (June 2019)
GraceNotes: Sweet Word of Grace (May 31, 2019)
GraceNotes: By Grace Through Faith (May 24, 2019)
GraceNotes: Grace and Safety (May 17, 2019)
Jared Thurmon: Dear Ava (May 2019)
GraceNotes: Practicing Grace (May 10, 2019)
Wilona Karimabadi: For Tough Times (May 2019)
Searching The Obvious: Soft Sand (May 2019)
Journeys With Jesus: God-Centered (May 2019)
GraceNotes: When Grace Finds You (May 3, 2019)
GraceNotes: Baptize Us Anew (April 26, 2019)
GraceNotes: The Rising Song (April 19, 2019)
GraceNotes: Released From Fear (April 12, 2019)
Gerald Kingbeil: Thy Kingdom Come (April 2019)
GraceNotes: Trusting Grace (April 5, 2019)
GraceNotes: Morning Has Broken (March 29, 2019)
GraceNotes: Outside and Above (March 22, 2019)
GraceNotes: Grace Becomes Us (March 15, 2019)
Marvene Thorpe-Baptiste, An Accidental Witness (March 2019)
Journeys With Jesus: The Dreaded Diagnosis (March 2019)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Straight TV
The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network
Life After Ministry
Beyond the Broomstick - with Medium Matilda
Deep Dive