Little Leaguers: Kids Without Kindness
His merciful kindness is great toward us.
Psalm 117:2 (NKJV)
What is desired in a man is kindness.
Proverbs 19:22 (NKJV)
To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend...
Job 6:14 (NKJV)
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
One common error among Christian teams, one that DIS-invites godly promotion, is UNKINDNESS.
Why?
Unkindness spots their Captain’s perfect Name. If the world is unkind, that’s no excuse. 'You do not belong to the world' (John 15:19). God’s team MUSt carry a higher standard.
You’re called to shine without 'Spot or wrinkle or any such thing' (Ephesians 5:27).
Consider…
Unkindness on a playing field includes any type of unsportsmanlike conduct, like an intentional hit with a ball. Pending penalty? A pitcher can be tossed out of the game.
Unkindness in media fields includes any type of mean-spirited conduct, like an intentional hit with a taunt. Pending penalty? A performer can be struck from the cast.
Sadly, hurling hateful words is a mark of little-league Christians who spew like dragons. Why? Don’t sinners need to know they’re sinning? So what’s the error?
It’s hypocrisy. In the fields of life, nobody’s ever pitched a perfect game or lived a perfect day without sinning (except for Jesus)!
We’re neither called nor qualified to judge.* ‘There is one Lawgiver, Who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?’ (James 4:12)
Saints are called and qualified by kindness!
Actors, models, and talent for Christ: Always extend unusual kindness on every set in every field you play. (If not, you’ll never make the major leagues.)
Outsiders and fans must know that YOU care… before THEY’LL care to know the Lord you serve.
Little Leaguers: Kids Without Kindness (Part 3)
* Specifically, Christians are NOT called to judge outsiders. They don’t know Who we know. But we ARE called to judge within the church… and gently, humbly correct them. Sadly, judging outsiders is FREQUENTLY done, while gently, humbly, privately, and biblically correcting insiders is SELDOM done. In other words, we’ve confused the crystal clear orders of our Team Captain.
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.