“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: …kindness…”

                                                                                                                                  Galatians 5:22a

 

“that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7

 

It's time for kindness

 

Kindness is the perfect section to follow patience. Last week, we looked at being patient and long-suffering—waiting for a change without having our tempers flare or simmer. Kindness is like a proviso to patience; it’s a “conditional stipulation.”

 

We can be patient with the wrong motive and attitude. Even if we don’t get upset, even if we wait for something to change, it doesn’t necessarily display Spiritual Fruit in our lives. There is a “kindness factor” that also needs to be in place.

 

If we are just waiting for someone to see it “our way,” chances are we aren’t drawing from our “new creature” DNA. If we sit back and “patiently wait” for them to “come around,” perhaps we’ve missed the point. Sure there are things that are absolutely right and wrong, and on those things our attitude needs to be one of patiently waiting until they see it God’s way. But in day to day dealings, we need to be producing kindness during the waiting period!

 

This word “kindness” has a facet of the other person’s welfare to it. We are being patient for the benefit and betterment of someone else, not for ourselves. It’s not with a selfish attitude of “I’m willing to wait until you see it my way, the right way.” It’s with an attitude of benevolence and care that we wait. We want them to see it, not so that they will see we are right, but because it’s good for them.

 

In the Ephesians reference above, Paul calls God’s extension of saving grace to us “His kindness.” God loves us, and as we read last week, His patience “gives people time to be saved.” Now, is God right in His wanting us to see that no one can get to Him except through Jesus, that Jesus is the only way to Heaven (which by the way is one of only two possible destinies)? Of course He’s right—He’s God! 

 

So with that said, is “being right” His sole reason for waiting for and wanting us to see the truth? No! “His kindness” results in our betterment… I’d say that going to Heaven is definitely better than the alternative! But it’s more than that. His kindness results in righting a relationship between us and Him that was always meant to be, and we are not only “better for it,” we are THE BEST because of it!

 

Kindness can also stand alone. This fruit section is one that can be displayed in everyday life and everyday circumstances, whether we are in situations that are easy or difficult to extend kindness in. Here again, our old DNA is capable of producing “random acts of kindness.” That’s all, though—random, not consistent. Our “new creature” DNA that is Spirit powered is capable of producing kindness all the time.

 

Reminder: We are known by our fruits… (Matthew 7:16a)