Just think of the creation of the universe—the sheer enormity of it. The galaxies, the stars, the planets—all springing from something smaller than the head of a pin. Science tells us that everything we see was born from a series of finely-tuned, one-in-several-trillion of chances. Life itself emerged from chemicals, then organisms, then animals, mammals, and humans. A mind numbingly large number of events, seemingly random, culminating in people who reflect on creation and who are capable of love.
In the vastness of this story, for me one truth remains clear: the most important thing in your life will be the relationships you have with the people around you.
Whether you see these connections through the lens of science or faith, love is central. Atheists may describe it as a remarkable outcome of evolution; Christians understand it as something woven into the very fabric of our existence by God Himself. Love is the thing we were created for.
As God loves us, we are called to love one another.
Biblical Foundations for Loving Others
Stick with me on this because, as with most things in my life, I’ve found that the Bible nails it.
The Bible provides a clear, challenging, and profound understanding of love—one that isn’t just theoretical but deeply practical. At the heart of this understanding is God Himself: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Together, they embody the expression of love (the Father), the recipient of love (the Son), and the act of love (the Holy Spirit). This divine relationship shows us that love isn’t passive; it’s a dynamic, ongoing choice to care, connect, and serve.
This biblical view of love underpins something we all understand on a day-to-day level: being nice to the people around us. It challenges us to treat others with kindness, patience, and compassion, even when it’s hard. In essence, the Bible’s teachings on love provide the foundation for how we interact with others in our families, friendships, workplaces, and communities.
Here are five foundational points that illustrate this divine love and our call to reflect it through our actions and attitudes:
1. Love as the Greatest Commandment
In Matthew 22:37–39, Jesus teaches:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind… and love your neighbour as yourself.”
This commandment highlights love as the core of our faith and life. Loving God is the expression of love, while loving others is the act of love. This daily challenge calls us to prioritise relationships and move beyond convenience or comfort.
2. Christ’s Example of Sacrificial Love
In John 13:34, Jesus says:
“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Jesus, the Son, is the perfect recipient of love from the Father and demonstrates the ultimate act of love by sacrificing Himself for humanity. His life shows us that love requires humility, forgiveness, and selflessness—even when it’s hard.
3. Agape: Selfless, Unconditional Love
In Romans 5:8:
“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Agape love is God’s unconditional love for us. The Father expresses this love through the Son, who acts on this love by dying for us. We are called to embody this same love, seeking the good of others without expecting anything in return.
4. Loving Our Enemies: The Hardest Challenge
In Matthew 5:44, Jesus commands:
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
This teaching challenges us to reflect the mercy and grace of God. The Holy Spirit empowers us to extend love where it feels impossible, breaking cycles of bitterness and retaliation. Through the Spirit, love becomes an active choice, even when faced with adversity.
5. God’s Nature as Love
In 1 John 4:8:
“God is love.”
God exists as a Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—in a continuous relationship of love. The Father is the expression of love, the Son is the recipient of love, and the Holy Spirit is the act of love in motion. When we love, we participate in this divine nature, reflecting God’s light and presence in the world.
Why Being Nice Matters: Practical and Scientific Perspectives
Being nice isn’t just a simple rule; it’s a powerful choice that shapes who you are and how you experience the world. Your kindness can spark connections, improve your health, and even inspire others. Life will challenge you, and there will be times when being nice feels difficult or unrewarding. But remember, kindness isn’t weakness—it’s strength, wisdom, and grace in action.
When you choose to be kind, you carry a little more light into the world. And sometimes, that light can change everything.
But here is some non-religious confirmations of why being nice and showing love matters in life.
1. Kindness Creates Connection and Builds Community
- Practical Insight: Treating others with kindness fosters strong relationships. People are naturally drawn to those who treat them well, and these positive connections form the backbone of a supportive community.
- Scientific Basis: According to research in social psychology, acts of kindness release oxytocin, often called the “bonding hormone.” This hormone promotes trust, emotional intimacy, and a sense of belonging. In a world that can sometimes feel fragmented, these bonds are invaluable.
2. Kindness Promotes Mental and Physical Health
- Practical Insight: Being nice doesn’t just benefit others; it enhances Isaac’s well-being too.
- Scientific Basis: Studies show that acts of kindness can reduce stress, improve mood, and even boost physical health. When you’re kind, your brain releases endorphins and serotonin—neurotransmitters that help you feel happier and more relaxed.
- Additionally, kindness lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can reduce inflammation and improve heart health. This means that being nice can literally help Isaac lead a healthier life.
3. Kindness Shapes Character and Builds Resilience
- Practical Insight: Life isn’t always easy, and people aren’t always kind in return. Choosing to be nice, even when it’s hard, builds character and resilience. It helps Isaac become someone who can face challenges with grace and integrity.
- Scientific Basis: The practice of kindness helps develop traits like emotional intelligence, empathy, and self-control. These qualities are linked to higher resilience and greater success in both personal and professional life. Being nice in challenging situations teaches valuable skills in conflict resolution and patience.
4. Kindness Can Change Others’ Behaviour
- Practical Insight: Responding to rudeness or negativity with kindness can defuse tension and even inspire others to act more compassionately.
- Scientific Basis: Research on social mirroring shows that people tend to reflect the behaviour they receive. When Isaac chooses to be kind, he encourages kindness in return. This ripple effect can create a more positive environment at school, in friendships, and later in work or community life.
5. Kindness Cultivates a Positive Outlook
- Practical Insight: Being nice helps Isaac view the world through a lens of goodwill and possibility. It’s easy to become cynical or bitter, but consistent kindness can guard against that.
- Scientific Basis: Studies in positive psychology show that people who practise kindness regularly tend to have a more optimistic outlook. They are better at spotting opportunities and solutions, which can lead to greater satisfaction in life.
6. Kindness Opens Doors and Opportunities
- Practical Insight: People remember those who treat them well. Whether it’s teachers, peers, or future employers, kindness builds a reputation that can lead to unexpected opportunities.
- Scientific Basis: Research in organisational behaviour shows that people who demonstrate kindness and cooperation are more likely to be trusted with responsibilities, leadership roles, and collaborative projects.
7. Kindness Supports a Just and Compassionate Society
- Practical Insight: By being nice, Isaac contributes to making the world a fairer and more compassionate place. This isn’t just about individual interactions; it’s about the broader impact of choosing kindness in a world that often needs it desperately.
- Scientific Basis: Studies on prosocial behaviour indicate that societies with higher levels of kindness and cooperation tend to experience lower crime rates, better mental health outcomes, and stronger social bonds.
My Personal View on Being Nice
There’s plenty of theory, science, and theology behind kindness, but for me, being nice is fundamentally about who I am and how I choose to interact with the world. It’s a core part of my identity, a deliberate approach to life that builds a positive outlook and strengthens my mental toughness.
A Positive Outlook and Mental Toughness
Choosing to be nice isn’t just about making others feel good; it’s about maintaining a mindset of possibility and goodwill. Life throws challenges our way, and kindness becomes a way of staying resilient through those tough times. When you consistently look for the good in others and offer it yourself, you develop a mental toughness that keeps bitterness and cynicism at bay. You learn to navigate difficulties with grace, and that’s powerful.
Building Relationships That Matter
When you want the best for people and go out of your way to help them, you create relationships that are meaningful and enduring. These bonds aren’t just surface-level; they’re built on trust, loyalty, and mutual respect. Strong relationships are the scaffolding that supports you throughout life—whether in friendships, family, work, or community. You never know when one act of kindness will lead to a connection that changes everything.
Kindness Creates Opportunity
Being nice doesn’t just make life more pleasant; it makes life more abundant with opportunity. People want to work with those who are respectful, considerate, and easy to collaborate with. When you treat others well, you earn their loyalty, and from that loyalty, opportunities naturally arise. It’s a simple truth: doors open more easily when people know you as someone who brings positive energy and fairness into every interaction.
The Old Saying Holds True: Don’t Be a Dick
At the end of the day, it really is that simple. Treat people well. Show up with kindness. It doesn’t mean you’ll never face conflict or challenge, but more often than not, nice guys do win. And when they win, they win with the support, respect, and trust of those around them. Life becomes richer when you’re not constantly fighting unnecessary battles or burning bridges.
Kindness Is Not Weakness
There’s a common misconception that being nice makes you a pushover—that it allows people to take advantage of you. But true kindness is grounded in wisdom and strength. Being nice doesn’t mean you ignore boundaries or let others exploit you. It means you choose empathy, but you also choose discernment. You can be firm and still be kind. You can stand up for yourself and still show grace.
Kindness with wisdom is a powerful combination: it lets you maintain your integrity without losing your strength.
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love,kindness,relationships,faith,theology,practical-wisdom,personal-growth,resilience,mental-toughness,biblical-teachings,trinity,agape,sacrifice,community,emotional-intelligence,forgiveness,compassion,opportunity,positivity,reflection,wisdom,boundaries Themes - Rules Isaac, Love and Creation, Faith and Action, Practical Kindness, Trinity and Love, Resilience and Mental Toughness, Relationships and Community, Wisdom and Boundaries, Science and Kindness, Personal Values