God is Kind Because God is Love
Love is kind. God is love so God is kind. Never look at Him in any other light.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; 1 Corinthians 13:4.
They used charity because it might be the best way to say love, expecting nothing in return. That is true selfless love. Charity is love. Loving despite or in spite of. God is love. Love is kind.
The word kind means to be benevolent, to act with goodness, to be gentle, merciful, and gracious. This suggests active usefulness and helpfulness. It's not just a passive attitude; it's doing good to others.
The New Testament uses this word only once, right here in 1 Corinthians 13:4, describing agape love.
This article is not about loving others and being kind to them, though that is the purpose of the verse. I fear we can't love and be kind until we understand that this is how God loves us. So right now, consider how God loves you, and then after you meditate on that for a while, His love will flow from Him through you to others. He is already loving you like this.
God's Love is Actively Kind
God doesn't just feel love—He shows it through kindness. He acts in ways that benefit us, even when we don't deserve it.
But after that, the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Titus 3:4-5
God's Kindness Leads to Repentance
His kindness is patient, drawing us to Himself without harshness.
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness (kindness) and forbearance (enduring, putting up with) and longsuffering (steady patience, calm waiting); not knowing that the goodness (kindness) of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:4.
Goodness here is usefulness, helpfulness, of benefit, kindness, generosity, favor, and friendliness.
Can you see it? God's kindness leads to repentance, not punishment, not karma, not getting what you deserve, but rather God benefiting you by Jesus dying on the cross and carrying all of your sins and failures. God in human flesh, Jesus, is generous to give you the gift of God through Jesus. God is a friend when we are in such great need of His favor.
Kindness Without Limits
God's love is not based on what we do but on who He is—He is love, and His love is kind, no matter our failures.
Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Luke 6:35
God's kindness is not just to believers but to the evil. Did you get that? The worst of the worst experience God's kindness.
Explanation of God's Love as Kind
God's love is not harsh or cruel.
God's love does good. He provides, protects, forgives, and heals.
God's love gives us what we need, not what we deserve. That's kindness.
Kindness in God's love means He serves, stoops low, and lifts up. Jesus washing the disciples' feet is kindness in action (John 13:1-5).
Practical Picture:
Think of a father gently helping a child walk—patient, encouraging, and never angry at the child's stumbles. That is God's kind love.
Or Jesus healing the sick, feeding the hungry, forgiving sinners—that's God's kindness in the flesh.
Summary:
God's agape love is kind, not just pleasant thoughts or words, but compassionate action. It seeks the good of others, bears with weakness, and never tires of doing good.
Love is kind, lovingly merciful, and benevolent. God's love, agape, is humility and gentleness, showing goodness and kindness.
God is Love, God Is Kind
Charity suffereth long, and is kind—
Not just patient, but gentle in mind.
Not just waiting, but bearing with grace,
A love that stoops low, yet lifts to a place
Where mercy outshines what justice would find—
For God’s very nature is love that is kind.
He loves not in silence, or thought from afar,
But acts in our lives, just as we are.
Not harsh, not cold, not keeping a score,
But giving, forgiving, and offering more.
When we stumble, He stays, not angry or blind—
This is His love: steadfast and kind.
He is kind to the lost, to the thankful, the vile,
To the ones who curse Him, yet He gives them a smile.
For kindness is strength that chooses to bend,
To serve, to stoop low, to heal, and to mend.
Think of the cross—our sins intertwined—
Still, His answer was love, bleeding and kind.
It’s not what we do, but who He is—
Kindness flows from Him, endless as this:
A Father who catches each faltering step,
A Shepherd who seeks, who never forgets.
Not karma, not wrath, no payback designed—
Just love in its purest form—gracious and kind.
So pause and receive it, don’t rush away,
Let His kindness surround you today.
Before we can love, or give from the heart,
We must know His kindness is where we start.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind—
God’s love in your life, patient and kind.