1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Mediation is a process wherein the parties meet with a mutually selected impartial and neutral person who assists them in the negotiation of their differences. Source jamsadr.com

That is a worldly definition of mediation but it is not spiritual. Jesus is not neutral nor is He impartial. He gave His life for us, He is very invested.

We use language, words and definitions to make our position known. God uses His Spirit. What we need in this understanding is someone who speaks in both terms. The one defining method of the mediator that meets both a worldly definition and a spiritual definition is this one issue, a mutually selected mediator.

If someone does not have Jesus to speak for them, they do not have anyone that can explain our side of our experiences. God would then have no way to interpret our lives other than the acts we performed. That person would not have an opportunity to listen to God and understand His way of looking at things, all things.

Now we, who serve Christ, use all the languages, words and definitions is a quest to help those in need of a mediator, to select the right mediator. We are not mediators, we are clients who are making recommendations to them about His abilities to negotiate our position to our God.

What qualifies us as clients to advise others of their needs? Experience, we were once where they are in this life. Our experience is our witness, our witness is our truth but unique to us but similar to others. Our words may not ring true to everyone. The best part of being in a body of believers is the vast source of experiences available to draw from. In order to draw on those resources we have to make ourselves available to a diverse number of experiences, not hanging out with only those that share our past.

If my past is not relatable, perhaps yours will. We are unique and yet all the same, in need of a mediator who understands us.

Matthew 7:23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

His words tell me that the people He is talking about never opened their heart and let Him in to get to know them intimately. That is my understanding, what is yours?

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is … kind

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

1

Strong’s Number: g1085

Greek: genos

Kind (Noun):

akin to ginomai, “to become,” denotes

(a) “a family,” Act 4:6, “kindred;” Act 7:13, RV, “race” (AV, “kindred”); Act 13:26, “stock;”

(b) “an offspring,” Act 17:28; Rev 22:16;

Kindness is a state of being, it is what it does. This definition from Strong’s is important because one can be kind apart from being in the family of God. Kindness in and of itself does not indicate kinship. It is however once again a characteristic that is developed because of where we are more so than who we are.

When did I discover that I was kind? I can remember when I was not kind. I was selfish and intolerant of others. If I were to admit to myself at what point in my life I had that epiphany it was during PTSD therapy. During my therapy I discovered that unresolved conflict within the mind is often caused by an ability to see the truth of a situation. I discovered some hidden truths.

Perhaps my gradual character development should be best described by coming to know truth to be my Lord Jesus Christ. I learned to trust Him and gave up my penchant for being right about everything. Insist on being right and we will discover it is insistence that is the problem.

Perhaps this is why patience is listed first in the character traits of agape love. Everything that follows requires patience. Walking with Jesus is a step by step discovery.

Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

My interpretations were flawed, His are not. Once we accept that, it is easier to be kind to others that are as we were “flawed”.