The Fruit of Kindness

Kindness is something that I think we would all agree is important, but we mostly encourage it in children and don’t often think of addressing it to adults. “Random acts of kindness” refresh our hope in humanity, but it is not something we actively pursue ourselves. Often, kindness is merely thought of as little more than being polite, but as with all virtues it goes much deeper. Kindness should come from the heart which can only be changed by God.

Proverbs 19:22 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

What is desirable in a man is his kindness,
And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.

Proverbs 31:26 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Kindness is for everyone. What’s more, it is an attribute of God so we show our likeness to God when we are kind.

In the Bible, kindness is often related to loyalty. We show kindness to others, and to God, by standing true and staying by them no matter what. The opposite of that, compromise or turning away when needed, is selfishness. The world will tell us that we need to do what is best for us, that we should look out for No.1 and be tough, but that is not what God would have us do.

Micah 6:8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Zechariah 7:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;’

Kindness is something which God requires of us. We need to treat others with more than just politeness, we need to treat them with compassion and humility. It is possible to be polite and yet have bad thoughts toward them. But we need to genuine, from the heart. We should not judge others, or think meanly of them.

Romans 2:4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

God has shown us the greatest kindness by giving His Son to die for our sins and accepting us as His heirs. He willingly forgives our sin and mistakes and does not hold them against us. Should we treat others any differently? Kindness goes so far beyond mere politeness. It is likened to familial love.

The beauty of this is that while God requires kindness of us, it is something which He grows in us through our relationship with Him. Simply abiding in and seeking Him will grow kindness in us because we will have a greater love for Him and for others and a more accurate view of ourselves. We will see that we are no better than anyone. We will see others with the heart of compassion which God has for all. If we will humble ourselves to serve and seek God, that humility will transfer to our relationships with others and produce in us a genuine kindness of heart which none can match.

Seek God. Abide in Him and grow His godliness!