Good Ground: Kindness

Scripture References: Galatians 5:22-23; Micah 6:8; Romans 2:4; Matthew 9:10-13; Psalm 23:6; 1 Corinthians 13:4

Intro: Welcome. We continue our "Good Ground" series on the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). Today's fruit: Kindness. Often underestimated or reduced to mere niceness ("random acts"), biblical kindness is a profound reflection of God's own character. It's a fruit the Holy Spirit desires to produce in us as He works against our fleshly nature (Gal 5:17). Let's explore this rich, relational virtue.

Key Points:

1. Kindness Beyond "Random Acts": While small, kind deeds are good, biblical kindness runs deeper than disconnected acts towards strangers. It's rooted in relationship and God's character.
2. Kindness as God's Character (Hesed): The Old Testament word hesed captures biblical kindness. It's often translated as steadfast love, loving-kindness, or mercy. It implies loyalty, commitment, and mercy shown within relationship, especially towards the vulnerable (Ex 34:6-7; Ps 23:6; Ps 136). God is kind.
3. Kindness Embodied in Jesus: Jesus perfectly displayed hesed. He welcomed "sinners" (Matt 9), prioritizing relational connection. He declared God desires "mercy [kindness], not sacrifice" (Matt 9:13), showing kindness seeks identification, not separation. His followers became known as the "kind ones."
4. Kindness Goes Beyond:
   • Duty: Choosing to act beyond obligation.
   • Reward: Often involves personal cost, expecting nothing in return.
   • Self: It's actively other-focused, seeking their good (1 Cor 13:4 - "Love is kind").
5. God's Kindness Leads to Repentance (Rom 2:4): God's kindness isn't passive approval of sin. It's His active goodness and patience intended to draw us away from sin and back to relationship with Him. Experiencing His undeserved kindness melts hearts.
6. The Spirit Produces Kindness: This kind of relational, sacrificial kindness isn't natural to our flesh. It's a fruit produced by the Holy Spirit as we yield to Him and "walk by the Spirit" (Gal 5:16). The Spirit "over-desires" against the flesh to make us kind like Jesus.

Conclusion: Kindness, as fruit of the Spirit, isn't just superficial niceness. It's the deep, loyal, merciful love of God (hesed) reflected in our actions and relationships. It's costly, relational, and flows from experiencing God's own kindness, drawing us and others toward Him.

Call to Action: Reflect on God's hesed towards you – His kindness that led you to repentance. Thank Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to cultivate His fruit of kindness in your heart this week. Look for a specific opportunity to show relational, perhaps costly, kindness to someone, demonstrating the heart of Jesus.

Podcast Tags:

radiantvisalia.com
Good Ground: Kindness (Galatians 5:13, 16-17, 22-26)
with Danny Cantelmi