Day 45 - Kindness

Online dictionaries define “kindness” as:

• The quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
• Forgivingness: tendency to be kind and forgiving.

The kindness used in Galatians 5:22 is the divine kindness out of which God acts toward humanity. It is what the Old Testament means when it says that “God is good.” Christians are to show kindness by behaving toward others as God has behaved toward them (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 10).

They (whoever they is) say that dogs and children can sense when humans are kind. They signal that by wagging, licking, smiling, and being trusting, in general. Conversely, if they sense unkindness/meanness, they will growl, hide or cry. They are pretty accurate barometers of kindness.

Last Fall, we spent a significant amount of time studying the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. It would be accurate to describe the Samaritan as kind, as well as compassionate. Those two virtues often go hand in hand.

Ephesians 4:32 tells us, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

In one of the most tender and compelling passages in the New Testament (Matthew 11:28-30) Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” I feel more rested just reading His words. But here is an important connection for understanding kindness. The English word “easy” in verse 30 translates the same Greek word translated “kindness” (Galatians 5:22 and Ephesians 4:32). Jesus models kindness for us. The word “easy” in this context does not mean frivolous or effortless. It means “a comprehensive demonstration of everything that is appropriate to grace, salvation, humanitarian concerns and the gentleness of Christ Jesus.”

Proverbs 19:17 says, “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done.”

In each of these passages of Scripture (Ephesians 4:32 & Proverbs 19:17), kindness as a virtue (as well as a facet of the fruit of the Spirit) is an expectation of one who has been transformed by the Holy Spirit’s power. Although a boat is an inanimate object, sailors recognize that they must treat their boat—and certainly its sail—gently and kindly in order to get the most out of it.

God is good all of the time. He treats us with kindness, even when we don’t exhibit that same kindness to others.

Have you been lacking in kindness to others?

How can you change your life so that you reflect this facet of the fruit of the Spirit?