Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness (Galatians 5:22)

Kindness:
Responding Sympathetically to a Hurting World

INTRODUCTION:
When I was doing my student teaching back in 1996, I worked with a sixth-grade science teacher. It was the end of the year when the students had taken their standardized tests but the school is not out. So the teacher had different themes to study with different grades. In the sixth-grade, we studied the properties of water.

You know that you can fill a glass of water to the edge and then you can continue adding drops of water. To a sixth-grader especially who has never done that before, it can be astounding. You have to count the drops of water; we used an eyedropper. It seems like you can put 100 drops in the glass before you break the surface tension. In fact, if you are looking at the glass from a side-view, you will see that the water actually creates a dome. And you add one more drop, then two, then three, four, five - eventually the surface tension breaks and the water overflows the glass.

The same thing is true when we perform acts of kindness. We can and should continue to be kind and show more kindness and then more kindness and eventually, our kindness will break the tension of the evil in someone’s heart and they change.

This time of year is when I do a lesson on one of the Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22. If we “walk by the Spirit” (5:16) and are “led by the Spirit” (5:18) and if we “live by the Spirit” (5:25), then we will produce the “fruit of the Spirit,” which includes “kindness.”

First, what does it mean to be “kind?” It is defined as being “friendly, generous, or considerate.”

The word (which, incidentally sounds in Greek like “Christ:” chrestotetos) is used 10 times in the NT. Paul will use it five times in the letter of Romans…

“KINDNESS” IN ROMANS:
First, we see in 2:4 that God is rich in His kindness and Paul says that this kindness should have led Israel to repent of their sins. The second word for “kind” in this text is a related, but different word, which is used 7 times; we’ll come back to that.

In Romans 3:12, Paul quotes from Psalm 14:1-3 and the word is translated as “good.” It’s not that no one is “kind” or that no non-Christian is “kind.” The point Paul is making is that no one is “good” in his essence. He is not “good” or “kind” all that time. That’s why we need a Savior.

Then in Romans 11:22, Paul speaks of the kindness of God versus His severity. Both Jews and Gentiles can receive the kindness of God if we “continue in His kindness,” that is Paul’s way of saying, “Walk in the light…”

God is essentially and inherently “kind.” Children are kind also but then they develop selfish tendencies if they are not taught to share. Adults might also have to be retaught to share because somehow or another, we think that if we share - if we are kind - to others, someone we will use up God’s treasure of riches and He won’t have anything left to give to us.

OTHER PASSAGES ABOUT THE KINDNESS OF GOD:
When Paul talks about the beauty of our salvation by grace in Ephesians 2, he also writes that God has shown the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (2:7). Think about the definition of “kindness:” In Jesus, God extended “friendship” to us (John 15:13-15). God has been “generous” to us, in Christ Jesus. God is “considerate” toward us in Christ. That’s all a reflection of His kindness.

Again, notice the emphasis on the kindness of God as it has been revealed in the life and teachings and sacrifice of Jesus Christ: Titus 3:3-5.

Remember that second word translated “kindness” of God in Romans 2:4? Well that word is also the one used in Matthew 11:30. Jesus says His “yoke is easy;” the word is “kind.”

Look at the nature of God in Luke 6:35, Luke’s version of the “Sermon on the Mount.” Notice that God is “kind” to the ungrateful. How often do we stop being kind to someone who does not show us gratitude? That’s not the nature of the Father in heaven!

Finally, in 1 Peter 2:3, Peter writes about “tasting the kindness of the Lord.” In that context, Peter says that if we have tasted the kindness of the Lord, we will be motived to long for the pure milk of the Word of God so that we can grow spiritually relative to salvation. And part of that growing spiritually is being kind to others!

WE MUST PRACTICE THAT KINDNESS TOWARD A WORLD THAT IS HURTING:
Part of the reason why God is generous with us is so that we will be generous with others. Paul writes about the in 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Remember “generous” is a synonym for “kindness.”

So God calls on us to be kind to others. We have already seen that “kindness” is a fruit of the Spirit. Please notice Colossians 3:12.

We go back to Luke 6 where we saw that God’s kindness is a pattern for us. Let’s read Luke 6:31-36. Be kind. Without expecting kindness in return!

In 1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul will write that “bad company corrupts good morals.” The word there is “kind:” “Bad company corrupts kind morals.” The people we spend time with are the people who influence our behavior. So we should be careful who we send time with!

Then we have Ephesians 4:32 where Paul associates kindness with being “tender-hearted” (“compassionate”) and being graceful to each other just as God in Christ was graceful to us. Please notice again that if we are going to be “kind,” then it means being “graceful” toward those who do not deserve that kindness!

HOW CAN WE BE MORE KIND?
1. Relax. If someone else is wound tight, you do not have to respond in return. Give a genuine smile; wave; let it go. You don’t know what they are experiencing in their lives - you don’t have to know - but just thank God for your own blessings.

2. Remember that everyone is made in the image of God. James tells us in James 3:9 that we can’t curse someone else because he or she was made in the image of God. So, connect with others - even a stranger. Make eye contact and smile. Give a slight hug. Say thank you. Acknowledge the presence and the effort of other people; it might be the highlight of their day!

3. Share a laugh. To laugh is human. Laugh at yourself. Tell funny stories about yourself that show the dumb decisions you make.

4. I have hinted at this already, but smile. Sincerely. Even if the other person is having a bad day. It will give a hint of sunshine to them.

5. Be thankful. Kindness will follow. It’s hard not to be kind when you are thankful for what you have.

6. Be self-aware. Don’t show frustration towards strangers, especially. If you do, apologize quickly. Apologizing when you have done something wrong is being kind. Be aware of how your behavior and your words are impacting others.

7. Listen. Remember, James said we are to be “swift to hear” (1:19). You may not be able to solve any problems, but listening is good therapy for most of us.

8. Be present. Social media is not all that social to be honest. It is far better to be kind in person, giving a helping hand, sharing our time or skills to make someone else’s day a little brighter.

9. Be kind to yourself. Forgive yourself. Know your limits. Learn from your mistakes.

10. Don’t brag about your kindnesses. Remember Jesus taught about that in Matthew 6 in the Sermon on the Mount. People might find out soon enough, but God will know and God will reward.

11. Don’t overburden yourself. It is okay to say “no” sometimes. Say it with kindness, but you are no good to anyone if you have stretched yourself too thin.

12. Be kind to everyone, not just those who can give back.

13. Consider what others might need from you, based on what you would need from others if you were in their situation. Jesus said something about that, right?

14. Compliment profusely. We’re not talking about flattery which is often insincere. Be sincere but compliment.

William McKinley was President of the US from 1897 to 1901. There was a newspaper reporter who followed him around constantly misrepresenting McKinley’s positions. One time when the weather was extremely cold and bitter, the reporter did not have proper clothing. McKinley was riding in his closed carriage while the reporter was sitting on the driver’s seat outside. McKinley stopped the carriage and invited the reporter to put on his coat and ride inside. The reporter stated that this would not stop him from opposing McKinley’s views. McKinley said he understood; he was not seeking revenge. The reporter continued to oppose McKinley but he did quit being unfair and biased.

Take home message: It's always a good day to flex your kindness muscle and make someone smile.