Defining Kindness
xrēstótēs ("divine kindness") is the Spirit-produced goodness which meets the need and avoids human harshness (cruelty)
Overarching the fruit of the Spirit are Paul’s two statements in Gal 5:
•Freedom in Christ (v.1)
•Serve one another in love (v.13b)
•“Love is patient, Love is kind” (1 Cor 13:4)
•Kindness is putting yourself in the shoes of that someone and consider what would I most want or need for them to do for me.

The Kindness of God
•In OT a Hebrew word ‘hesed’- faithful love, compassion, mercy exercised by God
•God enacts his kindness he is being faithful to his covenant promises (e.g. Ps 23; 145:17; Is 63:7; Acts 14:7; Rom 2:4)

 

Kindness- As expressed in the Bible

•Ruth and Boaz
•David and Jonathan (1 Sam 20:14-17; 2 Sam 9:1-7)
•God wanted an expression of his kindness among his people- Mic 6:8; Zec 7:9
•The wisdom of God in Solomon (Prov 11:7; 14:21;14:31;19:17)

 

Kindness of Jesus

•A life of many interruptions in which Jesus shows respectful kindness to those typically rejected and shunned
•He wasn’t always the very ‘nice man’ but in his reprimand he was kind
 

Private Orchard on Public Display
•Our kindness is not random and feel good, but conscious and God glorifying
•The opposite is selfishness
• Habitual Spirit borne kindness comes in walking in step with the Holy Spirit (Col 3:17,23)
•As if we were Christ
•As if he/she were Christ
 

“The quality of self-denying kindness is not only what is meant to be Christlike, it is also deeply attractive to others because it bears witness to the one who lives within us and whose Spirit is bearing fruit in our lives.” Chris Wright, Becoming like Jesus, Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit
 

Take Away: Let the Kindness of God not be just a word on our lips but an act that glorifies His Holy Name