Qualities of a pure heart 6 Kindness Serviceable

Qualities of a pure heart - 6

Kindness “Serviceable, good, pleasant. ” (Vine’s) v “To provide something beneficial as an act of Kindness (L&N, 88. 67) v ONE who acts in a pleasant and helpful manner toward others. He is NOT hateful. v

Kindness Lacking in society in many places. v Rudeness prevalent in media v Also in social media v How much more gracious would society be if all practiced kindness? v

Kindness v Demonstrated by God Titus 3: 4, Eph. 2: 7, Romans 11: 22

Kindness 1 Corinthians 13: 4 – Love is kind! v Ephesians 4: 32, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted…” v Colossians 3: 12, “put on tender mercies, kindness…” v

Kindness Gal. 5: 22, a fruit of the Spirit v Prov. 19: 22, “What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. ” 2 Peter 1: 7, “brotherly kindness…” v

Kindness The pure heart is not going to be hateful toward others, even with less than ideal circumstances! v Let us show kindness both in word and in deed! v

Dignified Manners also lacking in our society. “Social skills” are rough or non-existent v Etiquette, “the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group. ” v The pure heart will conduct itself with dignity and grace v

Dignified v 1 Cor. 13: 5, “Love…does not behave rudely. ” v Ephesians 5: 3, “…as is fitting for saints” (proper – NASU) Phil. 1: 27 v Colossians 4: 6, “speech always be with grace…”

Dignified v v 1 Tim. 2: 1 -2, “reverence. ” “Behavior that is befitting, implying a measure of dignity leading to respect. ” 1 Tim. 3: 4, “with all reverence”

Dignified v 1 Tim. 3: 2, “of good behavior. ” “Pertaining to being modest in the sense of moderate and wellordered” (L&N, 88: 48) v 1 Tim. 2: 9 -10 – “modest apparel”, propriety, moderation, proper v

Dignified v Phil. 2: 14 -15, “children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. ” Also 1 Pet. 2: 12 legitimate attacks will fail

Dignified v In our society it is hard enough to be a Christian and do the right thing with integrity and good behavior. Don’t make matters worse by bringing undue attention to yourself.

Dignified v What is undue attention? Rebellious styles, obnoxious language and attitude, slovenly appearance & conduct, loudness, failure to adapt customs of others Cf. 1 Cor. 9: 19 -23

Dignified v 1 Thess. 4: 11 -12, “lead a quiet life, to mind your own business. . . ” 1 Pet 3: 8, “be courteous. ” (NKJV, KJV)

Confident Belief in the certainty of something. One’s assurance that he is right. v While we need humility, we also need confidence! v We need to be sure of our salvation and confident in our abilities as we develop v

Confident v Phil. 4: 13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ” v 2 Tim. 1: 7, “God has not given us a spirit of fear…” v 1 John 4: 18, “perfect love casts out fear…”

Confident v 2 Cor. 3: 5, “Not sufficient of ourselves…our sufficiency is from God. ” v Romans 12: 3, “Not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think…” v James 1: 6 -7, “let him ask in faith. ”

Confident WHY is a pure heart confident? Because it is undivided, has integrity & honesty, and has learned selfcontrol, patience, humility, unselfishness, etc. v 1 John 3: 20 -21 v

May we seek to develop kindness, dignity and confidence!