Pursue Righteousness and Kindness
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.” – Proverbs 21:21, ESV
Where I work, at George Mason University, we honor people from throughout our university community as “Kindness Ambassadors” on World Kindness Day each November. Our Kindness Ambassadors are students, faculty, or staff members who have been nominated for the honor by people who appreciate their kindness. Once they’re honored, they serve as ambassadors for the importance of spreading kindness every day. People who others recognize as being especially kind inspire many others to pursue kindness in their own lives. In the process, we often see that the same people who put kindness into action also stand up for what’s right. Kindness is an important part of living a righteous life.
Proverbs 21:21 connects righteousness and kindness as virtues we should pursue together to grow in holiness. They balance each other well. If we try to separate them, we can see that they’re not meant to be separated.
Righteousness without kindness can lead to legalism and self-righteousness. We can be technically “right” but harsh, critical, and unloving in how we express the truth. We can see this in the Pharisees, who were obsessed with the letter of the law but often missed God’s heart, which is full of compassion, grace, and mercy. If we pursue righteousness alone, we may win arguments, but we risk losing relationships. We might have all the right answers but still sin by speaking sharp words.
Kindness without righteousness can become weak and compromising. It can turn into simple people-pleasing, where we avoid speaking the truth because we’re afraid of conflict. It’s being nice without the backbone of conviction. True kindness isn’t just about making people feel good; it’s about wanting what’s genuinely best for them, and what’s best is always connected to God’s truth. Kindness without the foundation of righteousness can lead us to approve of things God calls wrong, all because we’re trying not to offend people.
God’s design is for righteousness and kindness to work in a partnership. Righteousness is what we believe, while kindness is how we live out that truth in the world around us.
As we pursue both virtues, we can point people toward God’s truth and love, which Jesus showed us the perfect example of during his earthly life. Jesus never compromised the truth. He spoke directly against sin and hypocrisy, which shows us righteousness in action. Yet, Jesus was also known for being a friend to sinners and for speaking with incredible gentleness and compassion to people in pain, which shows us kindness in action. Jesus wove righteousness and kindness together in all of his words and actions. We can ask Jesus to be our advocate by helping us with whatever we need while we’re trying to develop more righteousness and kindness in our lives.
Proverbs 21:21 promises that pursuing righteousness and kindness leads to life, righteousness, and honor. By balancing these two virtues, we can live our best lives, grow closer to God, and experience all the blessings that result from doing so.
So, let’s take an honest look at our hearts. Are we leaning too far one way? Are we so focused on being right that we’ve forgotten to be kind? Or, are we so focused on being nice that we’ve started to compromise what’s right? God calls us to pursue righteousness and kindness together. When we do, we can discover the wonderful lives he wants us to enjoy!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how to pursue both righteousness and kindness regularly, reflect on these questions:
- Do you find it easier to pursue righteousness (like standing for truth and doing what's right) or to pursue kindness (being compassionate and loving)? Why?
- When have you seen someone show righteousness without kindness? How did it feel? When have you seen kindness without righteousness? What was the result?
- Jesus was the perfect example of righteousness and kindness. Which story from the Gospels best shows this balance to you?
- How can you apply both righteousness and kindness to a difficult situation you’re currently facing?
- What’s one step you can take this week to bring more kindness into your pursuit of righteousness, or more righteousness into your practice of kindness?
Further Reading:
Micah 6:8
Ephesians 4:15
Zechariah 7:9
2 Timothy 2:24-25
James 3:17
Join the conversation! Share how today’s devotional encouraged or challenged you in your walk with Christ.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ThitareeSarmkasat
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
Related Resource: 9 Confusing Things about God– Answered By a Christian Philosopher
How can God be all-present (omnipresent) and yet be located in the temple and indwell believers? How can God know everything (omniscient) if He doesn't know what it is like to sin? How can God be a necessary Being if it is logically possible He doesn't exist? These are just a few of the tough, philosophical questions Sean McDowell discusses with William Lane Craig.
.webp)
