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Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Kindness is second on the list of how love is expressed in 1 Corinthians 13:4, but it shows up in the fifth spot of the “Fruit of the Spirit”. On the surface, kindness may seem like something that is pretty ordinary. But when you start to really think about it, kindness is remarkable and inspiring.

The dictionary defines kindness as: the practice of being or the capability to be sympathetic and compassionate.

That definition does not fully capture the meaning of the word in the Greek, “chrestos”.

The word derives from a verb meaning “to take into use” and has the basic sense of “excellent,” “serviceable,” or “useful.” It refers to something that is well suited for its purpose.

All of this is included in what the Bible refers to as “kindness.” It is more than a sweet disposition, it is also a serving and useful trait as well.

Jesus is as always our model for life and ministry and He models kindness to us. He understands our weakness:

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NIV)
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Jesus walked in our shoes so He can relate to us. Jesus will be gentle and kind to you because He knows why you are struggling. You can come to Him when you struggle!

When we understand other people and can walk in their shoes, we will treat them with kindness also.

I like to think of kindness as love in action.

Luke 10:30-37 (NIV)
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

The Good Samaritan went out of his way to help this person in need. Being kind will often include us going out of our way. You never know when your kindness could change the life of another person. Theologian William Barclay once said, “More people have been brought into the church by the kindness of real Christian love than by all the theological arguments in the world”.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The fourth “Fruit of the Spirit” listed is patience. Patience is allowing God to do what He says He is going to do. We often say things like “patience is a virtue” and “good things come to those who wait”. While we might say those things, we don’t usually live like we really believe it. We tend to be pretty impatient with people and with things that seem to keep us from having what we want when we want it.

We might think impatience is a quaint little quirk in our character, but its just another indicator that we are out of step with the Spirit.

We need to understand that learning to wait is part of God’s plan. God is not on “human standard time”. He is eternal and He is not in a hurry. God wants the fruit of patience to be developed in our lives. Patience is so helpful in realizing that the world does not revolve around us. It is His story.

James 5:7-8 (NIV)
7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Depend on the Holy Spirit to produce this fruit in your life, by yielding the control of your daily life and each situation to Him, allowing Him to be patient through you.

Colossians 1:10-11 (NIV)
10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully

So, during this week, let’s keep our eyes open for opportunities to grow – not only in love, joy and peace, but also in patience!

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

In our study on the “Fruit of the Spirit” we have talked about love and joy. Today we get to add ‘peace’. The peace of God that Holy Spirit produces in us is amazing. It is so amazing that the Apostle Paul describes it as ‘transcending understanding’.

Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Jesus gives us a description of the peace He wants us to know:

Matthew 6:25-33 (NIV)
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Paul, while in prison, writes about his experience of peace:

Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Paul says he has leaned the secret of being content, of experiencing the peace of God. How? We are able to experience this peace as we trust in God and yield to Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Trusting is simple. But it is by no means easy. When faced with the opportunity to make a choice between trusting God or trying to fix it in your own strength, hang on to this verse:

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.