Fruit of the Spirit: What is Kindness?
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22,23)
Dictionary Definition: the quality or state of being affectionate, loving, of a sympathetic nature, disposed to be helpful, of a forbearing nature, gentle, agreeable
In Luke 6:35, Jesus said, "... you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." In context, Jesus is describing doing good for others without expecting anything in return. He tells us that God is kind, because this is what he does.
The Apostle Paul wrote, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32). In this verse, kindness is connected to compassion and forgiveness.
Titus 3:4, 5 tells us that God saved us because of his kindness and his love. We do not deserve to be forgiven. We did not earn our home in heaven. God is kind. Kindness is helping others when they do not deserve it.
A Biblical example of kindness is Joseph. His story starts in Genesis 37 and continues until the end of the book. In particular, Genesis 45:1-7 shows his kindness. He did not seek revenge on his brothers for selling him into slavery. Instead, he saved them from the famine.
Another example of kindness is David. We read in II Samuel 9 about Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathon and the grandson of King Saul. The normal action in any other kingdom would be to have him killed, lest he try to claim his grandfather's throne from David. But David treated Mephibosheth with kindness, not because of anything that this young man had done, but because David had been friends with his father, Jonathan.
Dictionary Definition: the quality or state of being affectionate, loving, of a sympathetic nature, disposed to be helpful, of a forbearing nature, gentle, agreeable
In Luke 6:35, Jesus said, "... you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." In context, Jesus is describing doing good for others without expecting anything in return. He tells us that God is kind, because this is what he does.
The Apostle Paul wrote, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32). In this verse, kindness is connected to compassion and forgiveness.
Titus 3:4, 5 tells us that God saved us because of his kindness and his love. We do not deserve to be forgiven. We did not earn our home in heaven. God is kind. Kindness is helping others when they do not deserve it.
A Biblical example of kindness is Joseph. His story starts in Genesis 37 and continues until the end of the book. In particular, Genesis 45:1-7 shows his kindness. He did not seek revenge on his brothers for selling him into slavery. Instead, he saved them from the famine.
Another example of kindness is David. We read in II Samuel 9 about Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathon and the grandson of King Saul. The normal action in any other kingdom would be to have him killed, lest he try to claim his grandfather's throne from David. But David treated Mephibosheth with kindness, not because of anything that this young man had done, but because David had been friends with his father, Jonathan.
posted by David Frank Wilson | 2:55 AM
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