Choosing the Spirit of Kindness Daily
"We should not let a day go by without thanking God for His mercy
and grace to us in Jesus Christ". Billy Graham
A Snowball, a Scar, and a Seed of Kindness
During my senior year of high school, Ohio was hit with an epic blizzard. With several unexpected snow days, my friends and I took advantage of the weather and went to a local golf course to sled on its hills. Despite the bitter cold gnawing at our faces and fingers, we launched into a massive snowball fight. Two teams formed, and before long, it turned into all-out warfare, snowballs flying in every direction.
One of my friends, a player on the high school baseball team, packed a baseball-sized snowball and pitched it straight at my face. Direct hit. My nose immediately burst with blood from the impact. Everyone rushed to help, pulling off their gloves and scarves to stop the bleeding. Once it finally subsided, my friend came over to apologize, not realizing at the time that he had broken my nose or that I’d spend the next several years struggling with sleep.
Six years later, I finally saw an ENT. He confirmed that my nose had, in fact, been broken and recommended a septoplasty to repair the damage and improve my breathing. At 24 years old, I didn’t fully grasp what it would mean to undergo outpatient surgery or how I’d feel afterward.
Just a few weeks before the procedure, I met my pastor’s wife. When she heard I was having surgery, she insisted on staying with me until my husband could get home later that evening.
After the operation, I came home groggy and disoriented. To my surprise, she had stationed herself in a chair in the pitch-dark corner of my bedroom, not content to simply be in the house, but determined to stay close in case I needed anything. When I woke up, I became violently ill from the anesthesia and the pain medication. This woman, whom I barely knew, spent the entire day by my side. She held my hair back as I was sick in the bathroom, rubbed my back, brought me water, and quietly cared for me with a tenderness that went far beyond obligation.
Her kindness that day felt otherworldly. I believe it was a supernatural compassion, flowing from a heart shaped by time spent with God. It was generous and kind.
What is Biblical Kindness?
Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, shares with the church at Galatia what a life lived in
accordance with the Spirit, it looks like:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV).
Kindness in Greek is chrēstotēs, meaning to be upright or righteous, to act with goodness, and to possess moral goodness. (in character or behavior). Its root chrēstos is an adjective meaning kind, good, useful, or benevolent. It is an act of love and generosity. This Greek word is closely related to the Greek word for goodness, agathōsynē, in the same scripture. This type of goodness refers to acting in ways that are considered pure and good, aligning with God’s character.
The Difference Between Human and Divine Kindness
So, how is God’s kindness produced through God’s Spirit different than human charity or goodwill? First, the source is different. God’s motives are pure. It is impossible for humans to exhibit this type of kindness on our own. Oftentimes, when a person extends kindness, it is with the hopes of having something reciprocated. God’s motive is selfless and unconditional. His kindness does not fluctuate based on behavior because He is unchanging and faithful. The kindness extended to us by God is transformative and redemptive. It is an eternal kindness. Unlike human kindness, God’s kindness goes beyond a good feeling. He disciplines those He loves. Lastly, His kindness is what leads us to repentance, making a way for you to salvation:
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness (chrēstotēs), forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness (chrēstos) is intended to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4, NIV)
God, in his patience and kindness toward humanity, leads us to repentance by allowing His Holy Spirit to bring conviction.
Clothe Yourself in the Spirit: A Daily Decision
God didn’t extend His kindness to us because we were righteous, but His kindness was extended to us, being unholy in the presence of a holy God. Not only is God’s kindness necessary for us to repent and come into a relationship with Him, but the Fruit of His Spirit in our lives helps to identify us as His children. As a Christian, you are identified by your actions. In Colossians, Paul reminds the church at Colossae that they are to be recognized by certain attributes:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience” (Col 3:12, NIV).
We have a choice in how we clothe ourselves. Whether we will choose to clothe ourselves with the Spirit by spending time in God’s presence, or if we will choose to operate out of our flesh. When we choose to spend time in the Word of God, in prayer, or worshipping, then we are enabled to bear fruit which is only produced by God’s Spirit. When we do this, then we can clothe ourselves with His kindness. We cannot be consistent in fruit bearing if we are not abiding in His presence.
Prayer:
God, help me to abide and remain in You today. As I choose to stay connected to Your Spirit, may Your kindness and goodness flow through my life. Clothe me with Your Spirit so that I may respond with grace in situations that challenge my nature. Open the eyes of my heart to notice those around me, their needs, their burdens, and show me where I can extend Your love through acts of kindness.
Thank You for the gift and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Application:
Find one person to extend kindness to with no ulterior motives this week by:
Take someone a meal, coffee, or a treat.
Write someone a kind note or encouraging letter.
Run an errand to take something off someone’s plate.