The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindnes

Kindness

A virtue characterized by acts of generosity, consideration, and concern for others.

Divine Kindness

1. It is manifest in what is called “common grace.” God is kind to all he has made (Ps. 145:9), even when his creatures are ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:35; cf. Matt. 5:45). His kindness is intended to lead to repentance, not to rejection of him (Rom. 2:4).

2. In the second place, it is the believer who can truly celebrate God’s kindness, even in areas of experience not directly related to salvation from the guilt and punishment of sin. God’s kindness is seen in his deliverance of the believer from affliction, fear, and trouble.

3. Third, God’s kindness is manifest in the full salvation that comes through Christ (1 Peter 2:3). Indeed, our salvation derives from the kindness of God (Eph. 2:7–8), and it is through continuing in his kindness that we are saved (Rom. 11:22).

4. What is true of God in general is also specifically attributed to Christ, who is gentle (Matt. 11:29–30). In this connection, Jesus’ kind yoke might better be understood to speak of the fact that it is gently and considerately laid upon his disciple rather than that it is easy to accomplish.

Human Kindness

1. The Scriptures also teach that divine kindness is to be reflected in the human experience. Indeed, expressing kindness to other human beings is more important than performing ritual sacrifice to God (Hos. 6:6; Matt. 9:13; 12:7). Thus, we are to love kindness (Mic. 6:8) and to be children of the Most High, exhibiting his kindness and mercy (Luke 6:35–36).

2. Even more direct is the simple injunction to be kind (Eph. 4:32). Kindness often finds a place in the lists of Christian virtues (1 Cor. 13:4; Col. 3:12). Paul can take the injunction a step further and claim to exemplify kindness in his own life to a degree that commends his ministry as authentic (2 Cor. 6:6).

3. Yet human imitation of God’s kindness does not come naturally. In fact, ultimately no one is kind (Ps. 14:3; Rom. 3:12). It is only as the fruit of God’s Spirit that kindness can be a consistent part of the believer’s experience (Gal. 5:22).

Kindness in Scripture

1. Luke 6:34-36

2. Ephesians 2:7-8

3. Ephesians 4:32

And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:34-36)

so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (Ephesians 2:7-8)

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

Challenges

1. How can you be more kind to your parents and your siblings?

2. Who is one person in your life (who you wouldn’t consider a normal friend) that you can extend kindness to?

3. What aspect of Christian kindness challenge the world?