Robert Ricciardelli
An attribute is defined as “something attributed as belonging to a person, thing, group, etc.” It is also defined as a quality, character, characteristic, or property.
Have you noticed lately how on edge people are? Even the littlest things seem to upset them and can easily be blown out of proportion. Most of the news today is one tragedy after another, and it goes on and on. So, how are we to respond in the midst of all this?
One of the seven attributes of Holy Spirit is His loving-kindness. This seems so simple, yet can be so difficult to develop if we have not truly surrendered all to Him! I love this definition I found in Strong’s (“Kindness” = chrestotes [khray-stot-ace] Greek #5544), describing the Holy Spirit’s loving-kindness in us toward others: “Goodness in action, sweetness of disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence, kindness, affability.” The word describes the ability to act for the welfare of those taxing your patience. The Holy Spirit removes abrasive qualities from the character of the one under His control.
Like the word love (agape), kindness (chrestotes) is closely related to hesed in the Old Testament, which stands for God’s covenant love. The Holy Spirit enables us to show kindness in our relationships as we sincerely seek Him. This is why the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV) tells us to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” He also admonishes us in Colossians 3:12-13, “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Kindness softens the hard and angry hearts of people. Proverbs declares, “A gentle answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1) – it just takes a Holy Spirit heart transplant!
So how do we then position ourselves for this heart transplant? It takes total submission to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit! Ezekiel 11:19 (NKJV) says, “Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh.” Think of it: in a moment He takes our cold, stony heart, and all it contains, and exchanges it for one full of loving-kindness, filled with compassion and forgiveness for others. Kindness can be shown in so many ways – as simple as a smile, encouraging word, or even a hug. There are countless acts of kindness both big and small we can walk in.
So, changing our hearts leads to changing our disposition or personality. The Holy Spirit’s loving-kindness is all-encompassing and possible because we have had a heart transplant, a total makeover from the inside out, as Ezekiel described. The changing process is a continual internal washing and, yes, sometimes scrubbing work of Holy Spirit that is ongoing; it’s a never-ending process because we are human and not perfect! This is why Titus 3:5-6 (NIV) says, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Thank You, Jesus!
Holy Spirit is my dearest and closest friend who is with me always! I continually ask that He work His character and qualities in me, forming me into a person more Christlike, with a heart of flesh, soft and pliable, filled with His loving-kindness toward others. My prayer is that you will enjoy an even deeper and stronger relationship with the Holy Spirit, being filled with His loving-kindness and compassion, so that we all share one to another. May you be inspired to do random acts of loving-kindness, because the more you give, the more you receive!
Meditations and Prayers
Below are Scriptures to meditate on and to pray over the Body of Christ and the nations:
Psalm 36:7 (NASB) How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
Psalm 117:2 For His lovingkindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting.
Proverbs 19:22 What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a liar.
Luke 6:27-31 (NIV) Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:36-38 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, 13 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
I John 4:19 We love, because He first loved us.
Hebrews 13:1-2 (NASB) Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
James 3:16-18 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Prayers For the Body of Christ
1) Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and Israel.
2) Pray for the countries that surround Israel.
3) Pray for godly wisdom to overshadow the leaders of each nation.
4) Pray for revival in the nations – 2 Chronicles 7:14.
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