The Fruit of the Spirit of Kindness is the gift of God’s heart. As believers, beloved and becoming, this fruit may not seem as important to us as the first three–love, joy, and peace, but this fruit helps us become more like Jesus.
Kindness is a word that our culture has adopted lately. It’s a “cool” word. You can find it on t-shirts, bumper stickers, and wall hangings. I think we can thank Ellen for starting the trend when she began ending her shows with the admonition “be kind.”
But kindness didn’t originate with Ellen. It’s been around since the beginning of time. In His kindness God gave us life. Just look around you. The creation testifies of the heart of the Creator. Fingernail moons accented by the bright evening star, burnt horizons blazing at sunset, and impatient daffodils pushing through frozen earth in early spring silently proclaim a good God. A kind God.
More Than Flowers and Sunsets
The creation does reveal God’s kindness; however in His kindness, God has given us so much more than a beautiful world to live in. He’s given us His Spirit’s Presence here with us and the hope of eternity spent with Him. Titus wrote all about it.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7 NIV
Understanding the Greek for Kindness
The word “kindness” has been translated in Galatians 5:22 and the passage in Titus above from the Greek word Chrestos. It means a softening or mellowing of something that was once harsh. It is not in our nature to give such humble, merciful kindness to people who don’t deserve it, but we have been given the most wonderful kindness from God in his Son and the gift of his Spirit. According to Titus, God’s kindness is the catalyst of His mercy through Jesus.
The Kindness of God in the Person of Jesus
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Col. 1:15. Beloved, if you want to know God, read about Jesus. If you want to know what God likes, desires, gives, demands, extends . . . His merciful, gracious, holy, wise, and loving character, read the gospels in the Bible. Get to know Jesus. He was Kindness in flesh.
God’s kindness is powerful. It changes things. Redeems, makes whole, and gives new life. Yet His kindness doesn’t just provide fire insurance. His kindness takes up residence in us the minute we surrender to His love.
God’s Kindness Changes Us
“But the fruit of the Spirits is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law” Galatians 5:22-23.
The truth is, in our own strength, we really can’t always be kind. We need help. We need Him. As broken people living in a shattered world where discrimination, fear, and hatred often force atrocious actions, we the forgiven, need help to forgive. Yes, sometimes kindness is so much more than opening the door for someone, kindness includes hard things like forgiveness.
This kindness can only come with supernatural power.
Holy Spirit Kindness
This past Sunday we commemorated Pentecost, the day Holy Spirit entered our space continuum. The wind blew, fire rested upon heads, and foreign languages began to flow from believing lips.
Peter, once fearful, boldly preached the good news of the Presence of God in our world. God had come through His son named Jesus. As the crowd listened many began to believe, but it was not the perfect presentation that persuaded the crowd. It was the Holy Spirit. And 3000 were saved.
Everyday Holy Spirit
I would love for God to use me as He did Peter that day, but the power and infilling of the Spirit works in small, everyday ways too. It’s not a one time big event, but an every day filling and partnering with His presence to help change our world.
One day as I hurried out of the mall to my car, I noticed an older woman standing on the curb. When I passed her, another woman walked past her too, but she stopped and asked, “Are you okay? Do you need some help?”
At that moment, I stopped to hear the elderly lady’s reply. I didn’t want to be rude. Maybe she did need help. I had assumed someone was coming to get her, but maybe she needed both our help.
She shook her head, “I’m waiting on my daughter. I’m fine.”
I smiled at the sweet lady who had paused to inquire of need, and our eyes met. There was no doubt in my mind she knew Jesus. Walking on to my car, my heart filled with gratitude for the kindness of the woman who stopped and asked if help was needed.
The incident made me think, People really can be kind to one another.
Yet honestly, and sadly, kindness isn’t always what comes naturally to us–in our me-first, fast-paced culture. I will be the first to admit it’s not always what comes out of me!
When Kindness Isn’t Easy
Let’s face it. Sometimes kindness is not easy. Sometimes it doesn’t flow out of us like we’d hoped because kindness is not always returned. Read this definition from Life, Hope, and Truth:
Kindness is humbly giving of ourselves in love and mercy to others who may not be able to give anything back, who sometimes don’t deserve it, and who frequently don’t thank us for it. Basically kindness means a way of thinking that leads to doing thoughtful deeds for others.
When kindness is hard to give, take some time to stop and ask why.
Is it pride, unforgiveness, or judgment that doesn’t allow the kindness to flow? When we can put our finger on the cause, we can simply pray according to Chrestos, “Soften our hearts, Lord. Make us mellow in our response. Cultivate Chrestos in us. Help us slow down and look for opportunities to be kind. Fill us and empower the fruit of kindness to flow from our hearts, minds, and actions. Amen.”
Bible Reading Plan on Kindness
Come study Kindness with me. Let’s soak in 30 days of promises of God’s loving-kindness and the kindness we’re admonished to give. Light a candle, grab your journal and pour a cup of coffee or tea. Linger with Him and His word. Linger in the truth and let it seep into your soul. Let the word and the kindness of God soften your heart and mellow any anger. With the help of His Holy Spirit and the power of the word, we can’t help but be changed.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
How does God’s heart toward us help us extend such compassion, kindness, humility, and patience with others? Remember, you are beloved. Becoming flows from that place.
Beloved and Becoming Podcast
If you need more encouragement either video or audio form, visit my Beloved and Becoming Podcast/YouTube channel. You’ll find weekly short messages on our reading plan verses and longer teachings every other week. Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to get the reading plan.