Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Kings 8:1–66, Acts 7:51–8:13, Psalm 129:1–8, Proverbs 17:1

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Loving The Unlovable

People often ask me where these Gems of Knowledge come from.

Simply put, I ask the Lord questions and listen for His answer.

Anyone can do that.

The challenge is that God’s answers are not always easy to follow. Sometimes they require us to grow, forgive, trust, or love beyond what feels natural or easy.

Today’s Gem was one of those moments:

“Be kind and courageous in your faith. Love the unlovable. I will help you if you don’t know how. Kindness is a beautiful tool of healing and hope. Amen.”

In a world that celebrates strength, influence, and being heard, kindness can sometimes seem small by comparison. Yet throughout Scripture, we see that God uses simple acts of love and compassion to accomplish extraordinary things.

Today’s reading gives us a striking contrast between hardened hearts and hearts transformed by God.

As Stephen stood before the religious leaders, he demonstrated both courage and kindness. He courageously proclaimed the truth, knowing it would not be welcomed. Yet even as he faced rejection, persecution, and death, he responded with the kindness of Christ, praying for those who were killing him. Stephen shows us that courage and kindness are not opposites. In God’s Kingdom, they often walk hand in hand.

Kindness is not weakness. Sometimes it requires more courage to respond with love than it does to respond in anger.

One detail in today’s reading is easy to overlook. As Stephen was being stoned, a young man named Saul stood nearby approving of what was happening.

Saul was not lovable in that moment.

He was persecuting believers, opposing the gospel, and helping spread fear throughout the early church.

Yet God was not finished with him.

While others saw an enemy, God saw a future apostle.

While others saw someone beyond hope, God saw a man He would transform and use to carry the gospel throughout the world.

How grateful we should be that God does not judge people solely by who they are today.

How many times has He looked at us and seen what we could become rather than what we currently were?

This is why kindness matters.

We never know what God is doing in someone’s heart. The difficult coworker, the rude cashier, the angry neighbor, the rebellious child, the person who seems furthest from God—each one is someone God loves.

That does not mean we ignore sin or compromise truth. Stephen certainly did not. He boldly spoke the truth while remaining faithful to God.

Kindness and courage are not opposites. In God’s Kingdom, they often work together.

King Solomon understood this as well. As he dedicated the Temple, he recognized that God’s presence and blessing were not something Israel had earned. Everything they had was the result of God’s faithfulness and mercy.

The same is true for us.

We have received mercy, grace, forgiveness, and hope. Because God has been kind to us, we can extend kindness to others.

Proverbs reminds us:

“A dry crust eaten in peace is better than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.” (Proverbs 17:1, NLT)

Peace, kindness, and love are treasures that cannot be measured by earthly standards.

Sometimes the greatest ministry you will ever have is simply being kind when everyone else chooses not to be.

A kind word can restore hope.
A kind gesture can soften a hardened heart.
A kind response can open a door that anger never could.

And when loving someone feels impossible, remember God’s promise in today’s Gem:

“I will help you if you don’t know how.” 💎

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Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Allow the Lord to help you love better and walk with boldness and courage in your faith – no matter what comes your way.

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Prayer

Father, thank You for Your incredible kindness toward me. Thank You for loving me when I was lost and for seeing who I could become through Christ. Help me to be both courageous in my faith and kind in my actions. Show me how to love difficult people and give me the strength to respond with grace when it is hard. Use my words and actions to bring healing, hope, and encouragement to those around me. Let Your kindness flow through me so others may see You. In Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.