Can My Kindness Lead Someone to Repentance?

Our kindness demonstrates the nature of God’s kingdom before we use words to describe it.

When Jesus walked the earth, He went about doing good. With each act of kindness, many believed and followed him. God is forever showing kindness towards us, even when we don’t deserve it, because He loves us! Paul reminds us that “God’s kindness leads us to repentance”.

Have you ever thought about our acts of kindness leading someone to repentance? This shouldn’t be surprising, since we are instruments used by God to accomplish His plan—and kindness is, of course, a fruit of the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 3:9; Galatians 5:22-23)

A few years ago, I saw a man sitting at a curb looking troubled and distraught. I drove by and asked if he was okay. With tears in his eyes, he expressed that he had no money, no job, and his rent was past due; he didn’t know what to do. I told him that some folks at my church might be able to help, and invited him to come. I also gave him some cash. After visiting the church a few times, he gave his heart to the Lord. His life was changed and the broken relationship with his estranged wife was restored. God demonstrated His kindness to this man and he was drawn to a place of repentance.

God wants us to demonstrate His kindness to the world. We may not have to say one word about the Gospel, but one act of kindness to someone who is in a desperate state can lead that person to salvation.