Fruits of the Spirit Series: Kindness

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For the past few weeks in my children's Sunday School class,

they have been learning about the Fruits of the Spirit.

Each week they learn about a specific fruit.

They are given flashcards with a definition of each fruit and

examples of how they can portray those qualities.

They have even learned a catchy song.

 I am loving the fact that my 5 and 6 year old KNOW the fruits of the spirit!

 

I am human and make mistakes. Sometimes I am not that kind. I am not patient. I lack in the self control quality. Gentleness...ya right, I am like a bull in a china shop in most situations. Love, let's be honest...it is hard to love those who get under your skin. Faithfulness...I am learning. Peace...not the groovy far out kind right?

 

The Fruits of the Spirit are all qualities that we are asked to strive for. Why? So we can live a better life...a life that God has designed for us.

Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version (NIV)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

If we were even half of the 9 fruits...can you imagine what kind of world we would be living in? What if we strive to be all 9?!? I would like to start a series with you if you don't mind. Maybe we can learn something together. Today I want to start off with "Kindness".

Kindness: Kindness is the act or the state of being kind, being marked by good and charitable behavior, pleasant disposition, and concern for others. It is known as a virtue. Research has shown that acts of kindness does not only benefit receivers of the kind act, but also the giver, as a result of the release of neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of contentment and relaxation when such acts are committed.

Kindness to me means...to LOVE. Christ designed us to love one another as he loves US.
In 1 Cor 13, the whole chapter talks about love...
³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

A thought that stands out to me about Kindness. If we don't fully receive Gods kindness, how can we be kind to others? We have to first build our relationship with Christ in order to learn to be kind to others. He will guide and instruct us on EVERY fruit of the spirit.

An example of kindness is King David. After the death of Saul and his sons, David asked an interesting question.

2 Samuel 9:1-13 New International Version (NIV)

9 David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

 

David wanted to show kindness to Jonathan's son. Jonathan was the son of King Saul, who tormented David for years. Why on earth would David want to show kindness to someone who had any ties to the one person who made is life a nightmare? Can you relate? Because that is what God designed us to do. Bear his fruits...his kindness.

 

David is a splendid example of showing Gods kindness. I want to be like King David...seeking people out in a crowd to show them Gods kindness. Through me...his kindness and mercy with show. My tree will bear much fruit...Christs spirit already lives within us. It is up to us to search deep down in the darkest parts of our heart and shine light on those fruit seeds.