Kindness: The fruit of the Spirit (IX)

One dictionary defines kindness as being generous, helpful, considerate of other people's feelings. It is not the same as politeness, which is defined as courtesy, civility and respect respect. We can be polite without being kind, and we can be outwardly kind while inwardly resentful and unforgiving. The extract from 1 Corinthians 13:3,4 “If I give all my goods to feed the poor … but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long (yesterdays’s word) and is kind” comes to mind. One author put it this way “True kindness is Spirit-produced (Galatians 5:22). It’s a supernaturally generous orientation of our hearts toward other people, even when they don’t deserve it, and don’t love us in return.” Kindness is supremely a characteristic of God “With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you” (Isaiah 54:8). Mercy then is part of kindness.

Since kindness is part of the fruit of the Spirit, we cannot be truly kind if we have not died to the sinful nature with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24). To be truly kind we have to be imitators of God in the many ways that He is kind. He is kind for example in not counting our sins and trespasses against us, and taking the initiative in reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19). In related graces, He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness (Joel 2:13). God’s grace and kindness are inextricably linked. We are saved by grace in order that “in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:5,7).

Sometimes kindness needs to express itself in tough love. Since the fruit of the Spirit is found supremely in God (it is in His DNA), then in all He does He is kind. In particular He was kind, when He told the rich young ruler, in a discussion of eternal life, that he needed to sell all that he had, give to the poor and follow Him (Matthew 19:16-22). It is clear from the context that his riches were an idol, that they were more important to him that God (verses 23,24). God is a jealous God, and will have no idols before Him (Exodus 20:3). Paul could talk about the kindness and severity (tough love) of God “Therefore consider the kindness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off” (Romans 11:22). When our eternal destiny is at stake, He needed to be absolutely clear. It is no kindness to soft pedal such truth. In speaking truth in our imitation of God, we do need to speak it in love (Ephesians 4:15).

Father, as with all other aspects of the fruit of Your Spirit, kindness needs to be practiced. And when we have failed we will likely need to apologize and ask forgiveness. The best way I know to practice all these virtues Lord is to spend time with the kindest person in the universe - namely You Yourself. Your kindness is infectious! And I need grace and discipline to do this too. Truly Lord without You we can do nothing (John 15:5), nothing of value , noting of eternal worth. When we do things with You and for You, then You get the Glory and we get the reward. How kind is that! Thank You Lord in Jesus Name Amen