Virtues for Christ-Followers: Kindness

The fifth fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22 is kindness, which is closely interconnected with the other virtues. First Corinthians 13 describes love as kind. One version translates it as “Love is very patient and kind,” and goes on to say that it is “never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.”¹

Kindness means loving words spoken and caring deeds done. It is having a compassionate heart and putting that compassion and love into action.

If we seek to grow in kindness and to become more Christlike in our interactions with others, we can start by following the example Jesus gave us in His daily interactions with others. As we read God’s Word, as we strive to apply it in our lives, it is helpful to take some time to meditate on how we can put it into practice in our daily living, so that we can pour out His kindness on those around us.

Paul highlighted these principles when he wrote “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”²

The following articles describe ways that we can cultivate the virtue of kindness in our lives and “put on” hearts of kindness—and bless people with God’s love in the process.

Parables about Kindness

In one story Jesus told, a young man left home hoping to make his fortune but ended up wasting his share of the family’s wealth on wild living. Finally, penniless and humbled, he returned to his father’s house, probably expecting and psyched up for an angry—or at least condescending—attitude and a stern lecture. His father, however, welcomed him back with open arms and tears of joy.

In another story, a man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when thieves robbed him, beat him, and left him for dead. After a priest and a Levite had passed without helping, a Samaritan (a people despised by the Jews of Jesus’ time) had compassion on the poor man and brought him to an inn in the next town, even arranging to pay all of his expenses until he had made a full recovery.

The parables of the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan are some of the better-known that Jesus told, and they both focus on kindness. In the first, which pictures a loving, forgiving father, Jesus was describing God’s kindness toward us, an unconditional kindness that is at the very root of His nature. In the second, He was enjoining us to be kind to others, even those we don’t like or who don’t like us.

It can often take effort to be kind. It doesn’t come naturally to us, the way it does to God, but the Bible tells us that “God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases him,”³ and Jesus told us that “if you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”⁴—Ronan Keane⁵

Clothed in Kindness

In 1975, John Molloy wrote a book called Dress for Success, which became the fashion guidebook for many people trying to climb the corporate ladder. Molloy’s advice centered on a basic premise—always dress like your boss. Every day, for work, school, or recreation, we all have to decide what to wear. But we must also make choices about another wardrobe—our attitudes and actions. If we claim to be followers of Christ, our spiritual apparel is of far greater significance than our physical clothing.

Take a look at God’s dress code for us. As His chosen people, we are to clothe ourselves with “kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering” (Colossians 3:12). We are to demonstrate patience and forgiveness (Colossians 3:13). And above all, we must “put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:14). Do I begin each day by acknowledging Christ as the Person in charge, the One for whom I work? Do I take time to clothe myself with attitudes that please Him? Am I wearing what people are most longing to see—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love? If so, I’ll be dressed for success in God’s service.—Our Daily Bread⁶

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Kindness is a selfless action practiced and valued by people around the world. And Jesus provided a superlative example of love and kindness with his life and sacrifice on the cross. Love and kindness are fundamental characteristics of God and are “fruit” reflected in a life surrendered to God. The Apostle Paul calls us to be kind to each other—to serve one another humbly in love (Galatians 5:13) and to do good to all people (Galatians 6:10).—Compassion.com 

The following articles highlight the source of kindness, which is produced by the Holy Spirit in our lives as we seek to imitate the kindness of God and the kindness Jesus taught and lived.

The Source of Christian Kindness

Obviously, you don’t have to be a Christian in order to demonstrate kindness. In fact, some unbelievers show more kindness than certain Christians. So what’s up? 

The biggest difference between natural kindness and Christian kindness is the source. For many unbelievers, behaving in a kind manner just seems like the right thing to do. And it definitely makes the world a better place. Acts of kindness are always a refreshing source of encouragement.

For the Christian, the fifth item Scripture lists as “the fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22) is kindness. Christian kindness flows supernaturally within the soul of someone who is saved, redeemed, born again, justified and forgiven. …

Christians desire to be kind primarily because of how kind and merciful God has been to us. The Lord has forgiven our sins even though we do not deserve to be forgiven. God has freely given us the gift of eternal life in Heaven (Romans 6:23). And for what? Did we do something to merit God’s kindness toward us? Of course not. “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). It was the love of God that brought about our eternal salvation.

And it was “God’s kindness that led us toward repentance” (Romans 2:4). We are in his family today, tomorrow and forever. And he has “put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Corinthians 1:22). This guarantee produces tremendous motivation to be kind. Our kindness as Christians is rooted in God’s love for us in Christ.

Man’s natural assumption is that he can be kind enough and nice enough to make it into Heaven. In reality, there is only one act of kindness that has the power to wash away sins, and that is the kindness God demonstrated toward us when he sent his only Son to suffer and die on the cross for our salvation (1 Peter 3:18; Romans 5:9; Hebrews 9:28)…

Do you want to receive the kindness of God in the person of Jesus Christ? Once you receive the kindness of God by trusting Jesus to forgive your sins, you will instantly be motivated to be kind to others because of how kind God has been to you. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).—Dan Delzell⁷

Christian Kindness

Kindness is underrated. We equate it with being nice or pleasant, as though it’s mainly about smiling, getting along, and not ruffling feathers. It seems a rather mundane virtue. But the Bible presents a very different, and compelling, portrait of kindness…

True kindness is Spirit-produced (Galatians 5:22). It’s a supernaturally generous orientation of our hearts toward other people, even when they don’t deserve it and don’t love us in return. God himself is kind in this way. His kindness is meant to lead people to repentance (Romans 2:4), which implies they haven’t yet turned to him… Our kindness reflects the heart of our Father. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32)…

Kindness is no small thing. It yields marvelous fruit both in our lives and the lives of those around us. “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor” (Proverbs 21:21). We open ourselves to the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit when we ask him to produce in us kind hearts that overflow through kind lips.—Stephen Witmer⁸

The following story provides a living example of kindness and how acts of kindness can change the course of a person’s life.

The Reward of Kindness

A series of traumatic losses had left me angry at God. Alone, without any means of support, and with no hope in sight, I had tried to end my life. I regained consciousness in a hospital, where I spent the next few days recovering. It was Valentine’s Day, the first without my husband, and as I sat alone in a hospital lounge, I cried the only tears left in me.

A man and a woman walked past, and then stopped. “Wait here for a minute,” I heard the man say. Then he walked back and with one finger lifted my tear-stained face ... and he kissed me on the cheek. The man was a fellow patient with whom I had spoken briefly the night before. But why would this near-stranger give me a kiss? What had compelled him to reach out to lift me from my darkness? What had I done to deserve that?

After a few minutes I began to come to my senses. I have received a wonderful gift, the gift of hope, and I need to share it with others. With that thought I took the first small step to climb out of the deep pit into which I had fallen.

A few days later, after being released from the hospital, I looked at all that remained of my savings—just a few coins. The last food in my cupboard was a box of polenta and a can of tomato sauce. It looks like it’s going to be polenta with tomato sauce for the next three days, so I might as well cook it all at once, I reasoned.

I had just finished cooking and was about to sit down to eat when the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, there stood a young woman who looked to be on the brink of starvation. Beside her was a child of five or six and just as malnourished. The woman said that she was a refugee and couldn’t find work. She asked if I had some change I could spare, and my thoughts went to those few coins I had left. How much good could they do her—or me?

“Some change is all the money I have myself,” I said, “so I know what it’s like to be without. But I just made some polenta with tomato sauce. Would you like to join me?”

The mother and child timidly accepted, and we ate at my kitchen table. Then I remembered that someone had given me a chocolate bar a few days earlier, which I had tucked away for even harder times. I gave it to the child in exchange for a hug I will never forget.

When I found out that they lived nearby, I invited them to return. I couldn’t promise full-course meals, I explained, but we would share whatever I had. With a smile and a handshake, they left. I haven’t seen them since.

Three days later I saw a job offer in the newspaper and applied, even though I didn’t have any credentials or prior experience for that job. Only a few minutes into the interview, I was asked one question I hadn’t prepared myself for. “Would you like to start tomorrow?” Before I could answer, a thought struck me like a lightning bolt. Had those two strangers at my door been angels on a mission?

I felt like I had not just passed a job interview, but an exam. First God had sent that man to show me that He loved and hadn’t forgotten me, and then He had sent the mother and child to see if I would keep my promise to pass on that love and hope. When I did, He opened the floodgates of His blessings.—Erika Blečić

[At the time of the writing of this article, Erika was happy and fulfilled in her work as a newspaper reporter, and just as happy in her “other work” of helping to spread God’s love. Seniors in the retirement homes she visits appreciate her friendship, concern, and listening ear.]⁹

A Prayer for Kindness

Dear God, I come before you today with a humble heart and a desire to be more like you. Fill me with your Spirit of kindness and compassion so that I may be a light to those around me. Help me to remember Philippians 2:3 as I go about my day. Remind me to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but to value others above myself.

Lord, I know that kindness is not always easy, especially when I encounter difficult people or situations. I pray that you would give me the strength and wisdom to respond with grace and love. May I be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

I also ask that you would help me to see the needs of those around me. Sometimes people are hurting, and they don’t know how to ask for help. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear so that I can be a source of comfort and support to those in need.

As I go about my day, I pray that you would help me to be intentional about showing kindness to others. Whether it’s a smile, a kind word, or a simple act of service, may I be a reflection of your love and grace.

Finally, Lord, I ask that you would bless me with a heart of gratitude. Help me to recognize the blessings in my life and to be thankful for them. May my gratitude overflow into acts of kindness and generosity toward others.

Thank you, God, for your love and grace. I pray that you would help me to be more like you each day. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.—Stephanie Reeves¹⁰

Food for Thought

“His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 117:2 NKJV)

“Kindness is an essential part of God’s work and ours here on earth.”—Billy Graham

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

“Kindness is a language that everyone understands. As Christians, we are ambassadors of God’s love to others; the kindness we show conveys God’s love and care and helps draw them to Him.”—Rafael Holding

(To be continued.)

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Note

Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptures are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.