Latest Devotion
God's Kindness
By: Jenny Hinners
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4 (NLT)
God’s kindness is designed to lead us to repentance. A changed heart leads to a change of mind, and the end result is a change of behavior. God's kindness changes lives, and it's one of the things that attract people to Jesus.
God’s kindness has two main components:
Mercy – Some define God's mercy like this: “the undeserved gift of God's kindness and compassion.” To put it another way, it's not getting what we truly deserve (punishment for our sins).
God demonstrates His compassion for humanity throughout Scripture (and in our own lives) by forgiving us when we don’t deserve it; and by cancelling our sin debt (Colossians 2:13-14).
Grace – loving us without expectations. It's God's unmerited, undeserved favor. If mercy is not getting what we do deserve, then grace is getting something we don't deserve. We might say it's God favoring the unworthy.
...love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 6:35
Our salvation wasn't earned; it was given to us by grace. It can only be given out by Jesus, and because we are sinners, we definitely don't deserve it (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Part of being a Christ follower is allowing God to conform us into the image of His Son. Being like Jesus means we must "pay forward" the kindness God showed to others – We must love on the undeserving, and love people who won’t ever be able to pay us back.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
As you read this, is God prompting you to be kind to someone? Or is the Holy Spirit encouraging you to forgive someone that hurt you? It could be a family member, friends, or a co-worker.
Be alert! God may prompt you this week to show kindness to a stranger.