Like Patience, Kindness also comes into the Christian by grace, through the Holy Spirit. It is the fruit of Gods Love, now abiding in us, as a result of our decision to Trust in and Rely upon Him. Kindness is produced in us by the Holy Spirit in seasons of spiritual growth. This growth is the result of the love that the Holy Spirit brings into us and our growing knowledge of GODS truth, (His WORD).
As the TRUTH about ourselves and each other is revealed to us (we are all sinners, created equal, loved by God, all part of one body, etc..), this "love" will manifest itself in us in the form of kindness. The Bible sets the pattern for all kindness in the behavior of God, and in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. God gives sunshine and rain, fruitful seasons and glad hearts, food and all that is good to the just and the unjust alike (Matthew 5:45).
He manifests His ever-present mercy, love and grace through the life of Jesus Christ, who set an example for us. God is reproducing His character attribute in us, as we grow in our new lives as Christians. The word Kindness, listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit in (Galatians 5:22), is from the original word "chrestotes" and is also translated as gentleness. Chrestotes denotes goodness of heart, kindness, graciousness, and includes gentleness.
Kindness has many synonyms: benevolence, generosity, mercy, charity, philanthropy, sympathy, compassion, tenderheartedness, friendliness, etc. Kindness is a major attribute of moral excellence and works in harmony with the other fruit of the Spirit. Chrestotes is translated as "goodness" in Romans 2:4 and 11:22 (3 times), so chrestotes is love in tender action, a quality of goodness, and certainly requires gentleness in word and action. In John 1:14, we find one of the greatest acts of kindness.
And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.
Kindness will not manifest itself in your mind,.. Such as the thought YOU might generate toward "showing kindness". These kinds of kindness are the fruit of sin... Often referred to as the deeds of the flesh. "True" kindness will be manifested by The Spirit. It may wake you at 2am,... It doesn't always make sense,... And it just won't go away until it is done,... And you may not think you have the strength nor the resources to do it. But, real kindness (as the result of LOVE ABIDING IN US) will come from the Holy Spirit.
Our Father in Heaven will know us by our fruit.
Finally, I leave you with this little story:
As the bus slowed down at the crowded bus stop, the Pakistani bus conductor leaned from the platform and called out, "Six only!" The bus stopped. He counted on six passengers, rang the bell, and then, as the bus moved off, called to those left behind: "So sorry, plenty of room in my heart - but the bus is full." He left behind a row of smiling faces. It's not what you do, it's the way that you do it. ~ The Friendship Book of Francis Gay, 1977
I love you my Friends. |
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