The Fruit of Kindness
“Be kind” and “It does not cost anything to be kind” are phrases I’ve heard time and time again. Let’s see how God calls us to “Be Kind.” In other translations, gentleness and goodness is used in the place of kindness. Let’s get started…
The Fruit of Kindness
In the Greek, kindness is chréstotés (χρηστότης), meaning usefulness (i.e. morally, excellence in character and demeanor) and serviceable1. The biblical uses of chréstotés is moral goodness and integrity and benignity (or the act of kindness; tolerance of others)2. Chréstotés is the “moral grace that expresses itself in benevolent action.3” It is not a human-like way of being a good person, but “a supernatural product of regeneration.4” Useful kindness is meeting real needs in God’s way and manner. Paul is speaking to the character and demeanor of stewarding our resources and abilities to benefit fellow believers. The Church of Galatia should reflect and sustain one another as God expresses His moral grace in sustaining them. That sentiment is still relevant today.
Biblical References
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
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.-Ephesians 2:6-7
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.-Titus 3:4-8
A Reflection on Kindness
Kindness is an active overflow from God to our fellow believers. There are accounts of the Early Church giving and serving one another. There was not a need that could not be met in the family of God. It was more than a good deed for someone. Kindness, as mentioned in prior fruit weeks, is a free-flowing, compassionate, sacrificial action from God that believers get to express outwardly. Paul is telling the Church of Galatia to serve one another, not for one’s own ego but giving as God gave us.
God is so kind to us. He gave us a hope and future. He is active in providing our needs whether we see it or not. God is not idle towards His children. Thus, as believers, we cannot be idle in showing kindness as His Church. It is grace in action, word, and deed. It is God-centered instead of a check-list of good works. The Family of God is building, giving, and sharing time, talents, resources, and gifts as God intended His Church to be.
What does it look like when the Spirit is truly present and at work in our God-centered kindness towards fellow believers?
Blissfully,
Bianca
https://biblehub.com/greek/5544.htm
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5544/kjv/tr/0-1/
https://biblehub.com/greek/5544.htm
https://biblehub.com/greek/5544.htm