Most sincere people, seeking opportunities to show kindness toward others, will generally have more opportunities than means. In fact, some instances will arise when helping others remains practically impossible. This is especially true when a financial need arises beyond the person's capacity to help. Does this mean kindness does not exist or that the individual lacks genuineness? No! Today's passage teaches a profound principle, “the desire of a man is his kindness.” Kindness is exemplified where there is a present desire to be kind toward others even though the individual may be without means to fulfil his desire to help. The passage ends by stating that “a poor man is better than a liar.” A man who desires to help but cannot do so is better than those who lie or deceive others about their true heart's intent to show kindness. Thankfully, God does not simply look at the outward act but can always see the heart's true desire, purpose, and motive!
Far too many of today's pundits sanction giving others whatever they want in an attempt to display true love. Parents have become increasingly trapped in this dilemma being convinced that they fail their children unless they give them every new gadget. The husbands thought to love the most are the ones who shower their wives with the most, the best, and do so frequently. The average person may find these scenarios reasonable, but they remain completely contrary to the word of God. In fact, the Bible expresses just the opposite. Today's passage reveals that a righteous man could actually smite someone with his words in kindness. A righteous man will always offer a rebuke (or correction) to those heading in the wrong direction. The intention of such a rebuke is to set the person back on the right track; true biblical kindness at work. Proverbs extols the virtues of those wounds gained when offered in the spirit of kindness and friendship (Proverbs 27:6). Kindness is never demonstrated by simply telling others what they want to hear but often confirmed through open rebuke (Proverbs 27:5).
The Bible records Jonathan and David's strikingly close friendship like that of siblings. Regardless of this cherished relationship, Jonathan's father, king Saul, feared and despised David. Both king Saul and his son died during battle, thus paving the way for David to ascend to the throne of Israel. Once David became king, he sought for an opportunity to show kindness to any of Jonathan’s remaining family members. After searching through the land, it was discovered that Saul and Jonathan had one remaining descendent (Mephibosheth). David sent for Mephibosheth and told him his intentions of showing him the kindness normally reserved for a member of the king's family. This act of kindness included the restoration of his family’s property. David’s kindness also made provision for Mephibosheth to eat at the king’s table (2 Samuel 9:7), “as one of the king’s sons” (2 Samuel 9:11). David’s kindness meant that Mephibosheth would be viewed and treated as a son. This demonstration of kindness illustrates God's act of kindness toward His beloved children through Christ Jesus.
Our previous study revealed that kindness refers to treating someone as a cherished member of the family. The Bible proclaims that God is great in kindness (Nehemiah 9:17). It also reveals that kindness is marvellous (Psalm 31:21) and full of mercy (Psalm 117:2). Believers should be thrilled to know that God demonstrates this kindness toward His beloved creation. By nature, men are the children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). Yet, each person has the opportunity to be treated like a beloved member of God’s family as a result of Christ's sacrifice on the cross (Titus 3:4). Those who have trusted Christ as Saviour have been granted the inestimable privilege of being “heirs” of God (Titus 3:7) and “joint-heirs” with Christ (Romans 8:17). This blessing, generally intended for and limited to family, is extended to those whom God counts as family.
God's choice of the word kindness reveals a compound word clearly defined within scripture. When studying a compound word, it helps to first consider the root word definition. Kindness contains the root word kind. A cursory look might reveal this study as quite simplistic, but a good Bible student exposes the spiritual depths of any particular truth. He first considers other uses of the word kind and then examines the words containing the same root word. For example, the Bible refers to something reproducing “after his kind.” The context of this phrase reveals that it refers to those belonging to the same family. Likewise, the compound word kindred incorporates the same root word kind and means to be within the same family. This truth is further confirmed by our subject passage referring to “brotherly kindness” (2 Peter 1:7). These truths indicate that a man demonstrates kindness as he treats other people as though they are a treasured part of his own family.
The church of God at Corinth offered the apostle Paul some type of support which he refused to receive from them. The Bible does not tell us whether Paul's actions toward this church were appropriate. However, we do know that Paul admitted the possibility that he could have been wrong and asked for their forgiveness in the matter. We are not informed exactly why he asked for their forgiveness, but the Bible simply states that he might have wronged these believers. Paul wrote more books of the Bible than anyone else and was not “behind the very chiefest apostles” (2 Corinthians 12:11). Yet, he did not use his vaunted position or noted authority to avoid responsibility for his actions. Instead, he sought forgiveness from these carnal Corinthians. Believers today should likewise follow the apostle Paul's example of seeking forgiveness from those whom they have wronged or even those possibly wronged. Who is right or wrong lacks relevance when it comes to one's relationship with fellow believers no matter the position or station in life!
The two epistles addressed to the Corinthian church clearly highlight many of the problems associated with the carnal church of Corinth. Today's passage specifically deals with the restoration of those who had fallen into sin. All church discipline, though frequently neglected, should initially focus on the restoration of the individual rather than his simple condemnation. In fact, Galatians 6:1 instructs spiritual believers to consider themselves by restoring “such an one in the spirit of meekness.” Unfortunately, people oftentimes seem to glory in the judgment aspect of discipline while diminishing or completely neglecting the joys involved with the restoration of the individual into fellowship. Careful attention to the wording of 2 Corinthians 2:7 reveals two important aspects of this church discipline: believers “ought” to forgive; and additionally believers ought “rather” to forgive. Unlike those who are quick to condemn, the Bible emphasizes forgiveness rather than the punishment aspects of discipline.
The Christian life is a life of continual blessings, though it also contains many experiences in life's difficulties. The believer is blessed by God’s provisions in the past and offered hope through God’s promised future provisions. Psalm 68:19 proclaims that the Lord “daily loadeth us with benefits.” These benefits include both spiritual and physical blessings of salvation, answered prayers, good health, and family. However, David specifically described the blessedness of a man imputed righteousness apart from his works. Our passage records his words as he proclaimed, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven.” Though forgiven of past, present, and future sin, man's capacity for sinning remains unabated within his natural body. Every faithful Bible student knows never to minimize forgiveness of one's sin as one of the greatest blessings of all!
This psalm, like many of the others, records a prayer of David. David expressed how he desperately wanted God's attention and ear. He begins by boldly proclaiming God’s preserving power and mercy and then pleading for a restoration of the joy he once had but had now lost. This psalm clearly reveals David's single hope—the fact that the Lord remains “ready to forgive.” When a believer approaches God confessing his sins, he finds an ear ready to hear his petitions and pleas. Man needs only come and seek the forgiveness with a sincere heart because God remains ready and waiting to grant that forgiveness. The Lord stands watching for His people to come to Him in true repentance (similar to the father of the wandering son in Luke chapter 15).
Psalm 78 provides remarkable insights into God’s dealings with His people, the nation of Israel. His interactions with them differ considerably from His dealings with the Church today. Regardless, the individual's natural man has remained unchanged for 6,000 years now. The Old Testament records many examples of men rebelling against God in spite of God’s goodness. Following God’s corrective hand, men sometimes exhibit faithfulness. Yet all too often, this faithfulness is short-lived as the individual returns to the folly that will again require God's corrective actions. Regardless, man seems to repeat the never ending cycle of folly and forgiveness. Knowing this makes one wonder why God continues to forgive. His forgiveness originates from His innate compassion for His creation. God's word says that the Lord forgives because He is full of compassion (Psalm 78:38). In other words, the Lord forgives man because He suffers with man as man continues his cycle of inconsistent living. Praise God for His compassionate forgiveness.
