Beyond Nice: The Heart of True Kindness
Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church
September 7th Sermon, Day 1
In our world today, being nice has become the standard. We smile, we hold doors, we exchange pleasantries. But God calls us to something deeper – true kindness. While niceness might be a momentary gesture, kindness is a lifelong commitment that flows from the heart.
Kindness costs us something. It requires sacrifice – our time, our comfort, our convenience. It's not about what others see or the recognition we might receive. In fact, the purest acts of kindness often happen when no one is watching.
Jesus taught this principle when He said, "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." This isn't just about charitable giving – it's about a lifestyle of selfless kindness that doesn't seek the spotlight.
God sees what others don't. He notices when you go out of your way to help a struggling colleague. He sees when you choose patience with difficult family members. He values those quiet moments when you extend grace without anyone knowing.
Today, consider how you might move beyond surface-level niceness to demonstrate true, sacrificial kindness. Remember that kindness isn't just what you do – it's who you are becoming in Christ.
Bible Verse
"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." - Matthew 6:3
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life have you been content with being merely nice when God might be calling you to demonstrate deeper, more sacrificial kindness?
Quote
True kindness, as God calls us to live it, has been forgotten in a world content with being nice. But it remains an essential, often hidden calling for every believer.
Prayer
Lord, help me move beyond surface-level niceness to embody true kindness that reflects Your heart. Show me opportunities today to extend kindness that costs me something, without seeking recognition. Transform my heart so that kindness becomes not just what I do, but who I am. Amen.
