Overview:
“Loving What’s Kind” is a pivotal message within the series A Life Well Lived. In this teaching, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the second requirement found in Micah 6:8: “to love kindness” (or “mercy”). Using the life of Joseph as a primary example, Chuck demonstrates that biblical kindness is not a mere feeling or a soft personality trait, but a robust, intentional choice to extend grace to those who may not deserve it.
Key Facts: The Power of Grace
- Primary Scripture: Micah 6:8; Genesis 45 and 50
- Key Figure: Joseph (Son of Jacob)
- Core Objective: To define biblical kindness as “mercy in action” and to show how it transforms broken relationships.
- Context: Part 2 of a 4-part series focused on the rewards of an obedient heart.
What Is the Primary Purpose of This Message?
The purpose of this message is to distinguish between “niceness” and “kindness.” While the world views kindness as a social pleasantry, Chuck Swindoll defines it as hesed—the loyal, covenant-keeping love of God. The message aims to equip believers to release the “debt” others owe them, replacing the desire for revenge with a Spirit-empowered commitment to do good.
The Core Themes
- Kindness Through the Lens of Sovereignty: Drawing from Joseph’s words to his brothers (“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good”), Chuck explains that we can only be truly kind when we trust that God is in control of our circumstances.
- The Freedom of Forgiveness: To “love kindness” is to stop keeping a record of wrongs. Chuck illustrates how Joseph’s kindness was manifested in his refusal to retaliate against the brothers who sold him into slavery.
- Practical Mercy: Kindness is described as “love with its work clothes on.” It involves noticing the needs of others—especially the vulnerable—and moving toward them with tangible help rather than judgment.
- Reflecting the Character of God: Since God is “rich in mercy,” the believer’s kindness serves as a primary evidence of their spiritual growth and a powerful witness to the unbelieving world.
The Big Idea
Kindness is the outward expression of an inward grace. “Loving What’s Kind” asserts that we are never more like Jesus than when we are being kind to someone who has been unkind to us. As Chuck Swindoll notes, “Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life.” By choosing to love mercy, we break the cycle of bitterness and open the door to God’s restorative power in our homes and communities.
How to Apply This
Shift Your Perspective: When someone is difficult or rude, ask God to help you see the “pain behind their pride” so you can respond with kindness instead of irritation.
Relinquish the Right to Get Even: Identify one person who has wronged you and consciously decide to “cancel the debt” in your heart today.
Notice the Overlooked: Intentionally look for a “quiet” need this week—perhaps a coworker, a neighbor, or a weary parent—and meet it without expecting anything in return.
Message Summary:
In this second message, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the second divine requirement from Micah 6:8: “to love kindness” (or “mercy”). Using the life of Joseph as a primary example, this study demonstrates that biblical kindness—often referred to as hesed—is not a mere feeling or a soft personality trait, but a robust, intentional choice to extend grace to those who may not deserve it. A life well lived is characterized by a heart that actively seeks to release the debts of others and replace the desire for revenge with a commitment to do good.
Message Key Facts:
- The Meaning of Hesed: Biblical kindness is more than “niceness”; it is a loyal, covenant-keeping love that mirrors the character of God. It is often translated as “lovingkindness” or “mercy.”
- The Sovereignty of Grace: Kindness is only possible when we trust in God’s sovereignty. Like Joseph, we can be kind to those who have harmed us only when we believe that while they may have “meant it for evil,” God “meant it for good.”
- The Example of the Good Samaritan: Jesus defined “loving your neighbor” through the lens of tangible kindness—noticing a need, feeling compassion, and taking immediate action to help the vulnerable.
- The Proof of Maturity: Kindness is described as “love with its work clothes on.” It is the outward evidence of an inward grace and serves as a powerful witness to an unkind world.
Message References:
Primary Scripture Reference: Micah 6:8; Genesis 45:1–15; 50:15–21; Luke 10:25–37
- Genesis 50:15–21: Joseph’s refusal to retaliate against his brothers after the death of their father, proving that true kindness is demonstrated when we have the power to punish but choose to forgive instead.
- Luke 10:33–35: The Good Samaritan’s decision to stop, bind the wounds of the stranger, and provide for his care—illustrating that kindness involves personal sacrifice and tangible mercy.
- Colossians 3:12: The exhortation for believers to “put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Lessons on Practical Mercy
Pastor Chuck Swindoll highlights how “loving kindness” transforms our relationships and character:
- Relinquish the Right to Get Even: To love kindness is to stop keeping a record of wrongs. We break the cycle of bitterness when we consciously decide to “cancel the debt” others owe us.
- See the Pain Behind the Pride: When faced with difficult or rude people, a kind heart seeks to understand the pain or insecurity that might be driving their behavior. Kindness responds to the need, not the irritation.
- Notice the Overlooked: Biblical kindness is intentional. It requires us to slow down enough to notice the “quiet” needs around us—a weary parent, a discouraged coworker, or a lonely neighbor—and move toward them with help.
- Trust God with Your Reputation: Being kind to someone who has been unkind to you can feel like losing. However, we are never more like Jesus than when we extend mercy to our enemies, trusting God to be our defender and rewarder.
