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Galatians 5:22-23

“I will grow in kindness as I allow the Spirit to inspire my behavior.”

INTRODUCTION: We are studying the fruit of the Spirit this summer and learning how God uses the fruit of the Spirit in your life to help you grow more like Jesus. So far, we have looked at the fruit of love, joy, peace and patience. Today we come to the fruit of kindness. (Read Galatians 5:22-23 and pray.)

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Today’s fruit of the Spirit is such an important one and one that is sadly lacking in our world today. In a world of cynicism, criticism, sarcasm and scorn, it sometimes seems people have forgotten how to be kind to each other. And the sad thing is that although it is easy to be unkind to others, it’s really not that hard to be kind either. But when our focus in on ourselves, we either just don’t take the time or we don’t make the effort.

When Paul described love in 1 Corinthians 13, the very first two words he used were patience and kindness: “Love is patient; love is kind.” (1 Corinthians 13:4) Kindness involves compassion, caring and giving. Kindness is necessary in order for societies to exist in some form of decency and respectability. Kindness is love active and alive towards the people around you.

Whereas love has to do with your attitude, and joy has to do with your emotions, and peace has to do with your mind, and patience has to do with your reactions – kindness has to do with your behavior. “I will grow in kindness as I allow the Spirit to inspire my behavior.” Kindness is not just the way you feel towards others, but how you act towards them. A person who is kindhearted but never acts on those feelings in his heart is not actually kind.

This world needs a lot more kindness in it. Your life needs a lot more kindness. The people around you need a lot more kindness. Let’s look at the fruit of kindness together.

I. Kindness and God

First, we want to see what the Bible tells us about kindness and God.

   A. God’s kindness is part of his character
      – Exodus 34:6; Psalm 136:1

The Bible tells us that God’s kindness is part of his character. It is at the very heart of his character. When God revealed his name and character to Moses, he proclaimed himself as: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6) As we will see, God’s kindness has to do with his compassion, grace and love. Here God presents himself to Moses as the compassionate and gracious God, abounding in love. The Hebrew word translated “love” in this verse is an important word relating to God in the Bible. It refers to his kindness, his mercy and faithfulness. We sometimes even translate this word as God’s loving-kindness.

Psalm 136 uses this same word to describe God’s character. Psalm 136:1: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1) The word translated “love” in this verse is the same word we find for God’s loving-kindness in Exodus 34. The amazing thing about Psalm 136 is that the psalm keeps repeating this description of God over and over. Twenty-six times in twenty-six verses we are told that God’s loving-kindness endures forever. God’s kindness is part of his character.

   B. God’s kindness leads us to repentance
      – Romans 2:4, 11:22

The Bible also tells us that God’s kindness leads us to repentance. Romans 2:4 asks the question: “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” (Romans 2:4) When we hear of God’s judgments, we often run the other way! But when we hear of God’s kindness to us in the gospel, we are drawn to Christ and turn away from our sins.

However, we need to be careful that we never take God’s kindness for granted. This is why Paul later on in the book of Romans cautions us to consider both the kindness and sternness of God. We read in Romans 11:22: “Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” (Romans 11:22) God’s kindness leads us to repentance, but don’t take God’s kindness for granted. Paul urges you to continue in his kindness.

   C. Jesus’ life was full of kindness
      – Matthew 9:36; Ephesians 1:7

The Bible also shows how Jesus’ life was full of kindness. Jesus is the Son of God who displayed all the fruit of the Spirit in his life, and we certainly see that when it comes to the fruit of kindness.

We read in Matthew 9:36: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) Jesus had compassion on people, and he turned that compassion into action. He healed the sick, he fed the hungry, he touched the lepers, he taught the crowds, he took time with people, he sat and ate with sinners, and he even forgave those who crucified him.

These are all wonderful acts of kindness, but the ultimate act of kindness was when Jesus lay down his life for us on the cross. Ephesians 1:7 tells us: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Ephesians 1:7) The riches of God’s kindness and grace were never more on full display than when Jesus gave his life for you and me on the cross.

II. Kindness and God’s grace

That leads us directly into our next point this morning which is the relation between God’s kindness and his grace. God’s kindness and grace go together in the Bible. God’s kindness is part of his grace to us. When we consider God’s kindness in relation to grace, several things come to the forefront.

   A. God’s kindness is undeserved
      – Titus 3:4

First, the Bible tells us that God’s kindness is undeserved. We read in Titus 3:4: “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” (Titus 3:4) The kindness that God has shown us in Christ is completed undeserved. In fact, it is the exact opposite of what we deserved. We did not deserve God’s kindness but rather his sternness. We did not deserve God’s kindness but rather his just punishment for our sins. God did not save us because we were good but because he is kind.

   B. God’s kindness is unearned
      – Ephesians 2:8-9

God’s kindness is not only undeserved, but the Bible also tells us that God’s kindness is unearned. We read in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) God’s grace is something you receive by faith rather than something you earn by your works. Grace by definition is something that is unearned. If you could somehow earn it, it wouldn’t be grace! God’s kindness is undeserved and unearned.

   C. God’s kindness should motivate us to be kind to others
      – Matthew 18:33; Luke 6:35-36

And then thirdly, God’s kindness should motivate us to be kind to others. In Matthew 18:33 Jesus sums up the parable of the unmerciful servant with these words: “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” (Matthew 18:33) In other words, because God has been merciful to us, we have an obligation to be merciful to others.

But we shouldn’t be kind to others simply out of obligation. We should desire to be kind to others, because we want to be like our heavenly Father. Jesus said in Luke 6:35-36: “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:35-36) As sons of our heavenly Father, we should be kind to others not simply out of obligation but because God is kind to others, and we want to be like our heavenly Father. As Jesus said, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

When we consider God’s kindness in relation to his grace, we see these three things in particular. 1) God’s kindness is undeserved. 2) God’s kindness is unearned. And 3) God’s kindness should motivate us to be kind to others. God freely gave his grace to you. How can you not freely show grace to others?

III. Growing in kindness

We have looked at kindness and God. We have looked at kindness and God’s grace. Finally, we want to see what the Bible tells us about growing in kindness. So, here are five things you can do to start growing in kindness right away.

   A. Consider God’s kindness to you in Christ
      – Ephesians 2:7, 4:32

First of all, consider God’s kindness to you in Christ. Ephesians 2:7 speaks of: “… the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:7) Was there ever a love like God’s that sent his Son into the world to die on the cross for your sins? Was there ever a love like God’s that sent his only Son to die in your place? The Bible says no! We are talking about the incomparable riches of his grace expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. There is no love or kindness that even begins to compare.

And when you consider God’s amazing kindness extended to you in Christ, that will motivate you to be kind to others in return. Ephesians 4:32 says: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) Considering God’s kindness to us motivates us to grow in our own kindness towards others.

   B. Give sacrificially to those in need
      – 2 Corinthians 8:9; 1 John 3:17-18

A second way to grow in kindness is to give sacrificially to those in need. In 2 Corinthians 8 Paul writes about the Macedonian churches who gave generously to others in need even though they were in great need themselves. (2 Corinthians 8:1-2) Their giving was not only generous but sacrificial.

Paul follows this up by pointing us to the sacrifice Jesus made for us at the cross. He writes in 2 Corinthians 8:9: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9) Jesus is the ultimate example of sacrificial giving because he gave the ultimate sacrifice in the giving of himself.

As Christians we should also give sacrificially to those in need. 1 John 3:17-18 says: “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:17-18)

When we give sacrificially to others in need, we not only model ourselves after Jesus, but we open ourselves up to growing in his kindness and love. And it doesn’t always have to be financial giving. We grow in the fruit of kindness anytime we sacrifice money, time or convenience to help another person in need.

   C. Speak a kind word to someone today
      – Proverbs 12:25

A third way to grow in kindness is to speak kind words to other people. Speak a kind word to someone today! Proverbs 12:25 says: “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” (Proverbs 12:25) We have no idea what disappointments and discouragements people are struggling with each day. We can either add to their burden with disparaging or discouraging words, or we can speak a kind word to them in their midst of their struggles to lift them up and cheer them on their way A kind word costs you nothing. Speak a kind word to someone today.

   D. Remember God’s promises for those who are kind
      – Proverbs 11:17, 19:17; Hebrews 6:10

And then a fourth way to grow in kindness is to remember God’s promises in his word for those who are kind. We read Jesus’ words earlier from the gospel of Luke where he said to love your enemies and do good to them without expecting to get anything back. (Luke 6:35-36) We should not expect to get anything back from them, but you should expect to receive back from the Lord, because he has promised to reward you when you are kind.

Proverbs 11:17 says: “A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.” (Proverbs 11:17) 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.” (Proverbs 19:17) We read in Hebrews 6:10: “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10)

When you give, you are to give freely without seeking a reward from others (Luke 6:35), but God has promised to reward your kindness, so look to him for your reward. That’s a fourth way you can grow in kindness: remember God’s promises for those who are kind.

   E. Ask God to develop the fruit of kindness in your life

And then finally as with all the fruit of the Spirit, don’t forget to make it a matter of prayer. God is the one who develops the fruit of the Spirit in you, so ask God to develop the fruit of kindness in your life.

So, there you have it – five ways you can grow in the fruit of kindness. 1) Consider God’s kindness to you in Christ. 2) Give sacrificially to those in need. 3) Speak a kind word to someone today. 4) Remember God’s promises for those who are kind. 5) Ask God to develop the fruit of kindness in your life.

CONCLUSION: God’s very character is marked by his loving-kindness towards us. Without God’s kindness, we would all be lost. God has been so kind to you in so many ways. His greatest kindness was sending his Son to die for you so you could be saved. God has been so kind to us. How can we not be kind to each other?

“I will grow in kindness as I allow the Spirit to inspire my behavior.” How extraordinary that one of the most important things God asks us to do is simply to be kind to each other. So, make a commitment today to be kind to others as God has been kind to you. Realize that kindness is not just something you feel in your heart, but something you do with your hands and your feet. Look for ways to help those in need and to speak a kind word to those who may be discouraged. Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire your behavior so that you may grow more like Jesus in your kindness towards others.

© Ray Fowler

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