The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
The Fruit of the Spirit • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
It seems today that our country is more divided than ever. There are divisions about politics and how our government should be. There are divisions about how people are treated. There divisions even about whether or not a church should reopen. In all of those discussions, I have witnessed good people that claim to be Christians forget one of the strongest attributes in this list we have been studying from the Fruit of the Spirit. It seems these days that we are short of kindness. It is the fifth attribute listed among the nine found in Galatians 5:22-23. Sometimes being in the middle means being lost and forgotten. I have stated each week that these attributes are missing in our society and if we as Christians would live them out, our world would become a better place. This is so true with the idea of kindness.
Kindness comes from the word chrestotes and it means gentleness, courteous, and specifically shows consideration for others as well as a readiness to help. Kindness most definitely is needed today and as Christians, we should be setting the example for the rest of the world in how to do it.
As we continue our study of the Fruit of the Spirit, I want to share with you once again these verses from Galatians 5:22-23.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Today we are going to look at kindness a bit deeper to see that kindness is a quality, kindness is a quest, kindness is quiet, and then we will look at how we need kindness as a quantum leap.
Kindness is a Quality
Kindness is a Quality
Throughout Scripture, we can see there are many qualities that exist in God that are also given to Christ as examples for us to follow. Kindness is certainly no exception. As a quality of God, we see in several passages that we serve a God of kindness.
Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
Here we see both the kindness and sternness of God. God is holy and just. His kindness is not superficial but is revealed to us as an overflow of His great love.
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?
God’s kindness leads us towards repentance. Can you imagine an unkind God driving us to repentance? There is a big difference in being given a choice versus being forced into submission. The kindness of God leads.
The king asked, “Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?”
Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.”
We see in this passage that the kindness of God leads His people to show others His kindness. It is a beautiful example of how God wants us to be and do. This is further exemplified in Ephesians 4:32:
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
The kindness of God leads His people to forgive as they have been forgiven and to love as they have been loved.
Ultimately, the kindness of God provided for us the gift of Christ.
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.
Notice how the quality of kindness of God continues as a quality of Jesus.
Jesus was known for His kindness. The Bible says He has expressed this kindness to us.
in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Jesus is known as the Servant Messiah. Philippians 2:7 describes Jesus this way:
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
The servant example is carried over to us.
And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Kindness is a quality of God, a quality of Jesus and we as Christians are expected to have that quality as well.
in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;
Once again, like patience, it is part of the spiritual clothing we should wear.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
If we possess a quality of kindness, the Bible says it will benefit us.
A kind man benefits himself,
but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
This quality of kindness should be so desired and lived out that it becomes a quest.
Kindness is a Quest
Kindness is a Quest
As we live as representatives of Jesus, we are called to be merciful.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Being merciful is an example of being kind. We are called to be people that are kind and we should strive to do so with everyone. As one goes on a quest, there is the need for direction. Often a map is used for that direction or instruction. There has to be intention and purpose.
Several verses in Proverbs give instruction about living a life of kindness. We are to be kind to the needy.
He who despises his neighbor sins,
but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
Our kindness on this quest will honor God.
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
Our kindness on this quest will also be rewarded.
He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will reward him for what he has done.
As we continue on this quest of kindness, the Bible also tells us that being kind will help renounce sin and wickedness.
Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”
We also see from this same verse that being kind promotes prosperity.
We are called on this quest of kindness to try to be kind.
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
2 Timothy 2:24 again reminds us as a servant of the Lord we must be kind to everyone.
And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
This tells me that everywhere I go, every person I encounter on my quest, I must be kind to them. If you see me on my bike on the Greenway Trail, I will speak to you, say hi to you, or acknowledge you in hopefully some kind way. I sometimes go out of my way to do that because of these precepts and principles found in scripture. Not only do I feel the need to do this on my bike, but in every encounter I have. This is what I have noticed in doing so. Some people are taken back when I smile and say hello. Some don’t know how to reply. However, almost always, I get a smile and an affirming reply. I am not bragging about what I do, I am celebrating the truth of this concept of being intentional about being on a quest of kindness. I can tell you from my experience it works!
A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
I feel like what Job said in Job 29:24
When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it;
the light of my face was precious to them.
As you go through life, is the light of your face precious to those that see you? I would encourage to be on such a quest to do so! This leads to a reminder for us, that kindness is quiet.
Kindness is Quiet
Kindness is Quiet
One of the characteristics of Godly kindness, is that is done without fanfare or accolades. We learn from 1 Corinthians 13:4 that love is patient and kind. We also see in that verse that love and kindness are placed together and as a result, they do not boast. We are called to be people of kindness but we are not called to be a people that brags about doing so!
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Deeds are to be done in humility. This would include kindness.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”
Based on these scriptures, it is obvious any kindness we exhibit as Christians should be done in a way that does not make the person doing kindness greater than the act of kindness itself.
Several years ago, there was a movement started called random acts of kindness. In fact, a nonprofit organization was formed. Their website, www.randomactsofkindness.org, states their motto is “Make kindness the norm.” It is a worthy cause that has produced materials that promote kindness in the classroom and in the workplace. There are even lists of random acts of kindness that you can do to make this world a better place. When I looked at the website, I saw the smiling faces of the leadership, the beautiful acts of kindness, and all the good this organization is doing. What I did not see, however, was any mention of the One that created kindness. I was reminded that as Christians, we are not taking the lead in creating kindness around the world. We have allowed others, outside of Christ, to do so.
What this country needs is for Christians to rise up and bring kindness to a whole new level. We need to have kindness take a quantum leap.
Kindness as a Quantum Leap
Kindness as a Quantum Leap
In the science world, a quantum leap is an abrupt change or advance, especially in method information or knowledge. Church it is time that made an abrupt change in our everyday lives and advance our abilities to be more Christlike by being kind. We need to change the way we carry out the message of Christ by being more kind to those folks we come in contact with every day. We need to be bold and unashamed about being kind so that other can come to know Jesus through our actions and not our words. We need to be the leaders in our world right now celebrating the love and mercy that God has demonstrated to us through Jesus. We need to smile even while wearing masks and say words of affirmation that are deliberately kind. We need, more than ever in the history of the world to bring about a quantum leap of kindness.
Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?”
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.
You and I need to have a relationship with our Lord that is so strong, that the light of the face of God shines on us in such a way that we can lead the cause of showing good. We learned how to be kind in kindergarten. Why did we “unlearn it?” The truth of the matter is somewhere along the way, we found it more convenient to be selfish instead of kind. It is time to reverse this. It is time to be more kind than selfish. We can do better. Let’s start right now. Make a list of acts of kindness you can do starting right now. Then make it happen. The world is full of reasons why we cannot wait any longer.