Who is the kindest person you know? What is it about them that makes you think of them as kind?

I suspect if you dig into those questions, the people who come to mind will be those who are intimately connected to Jesus. That’s because kindness is one evidence of a renewed relationship with Jesus.

Biblically speaking, kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, meaning it is something that God’s Spirit over time cultivates in the lives of those who follow Jesus. Jesus is, of course, the kindest person ever, and that we can connect with him at all is an expression of his kindness. He embodies kindness: He is selfless, compassionate and merciful, and is particularly loving toward His enemies and the “least of these.”

You’ve probably heard the encouragement to practice random acts of kindness, but kindness isn’t random. Rather, kindness comes out of reflecting both on how much kindness we have received from Jesus and from getting to know another’s story.

Think about it. If you take the time to reflect first on all the kindness God has shown you and then on the story of someone else, kindness will be your natural response. That will then help you point back to Jesus, which is the kindest thing any of us can do.