Kindness

"If you see your brother standing by the road, with a heavy load, from the seeds he's sowed;  And if you see your sister falling by the way, just stop and say . . . " 

Interesting lyrics to an old song once popular among some pop music fans, and in some youth groups, in the early 70's (for those who tend to remember such things).  So, how do we respond when we see people in similar situations now, some 40 years later?  The original song went on to suggest,

"you've got to try a little kindness . . . " 

(Whatever you might think of the music) Perhaps, that was one they got right!  And this is at least  part of what Pastor Jon is suggesting this week as he talks to us about one of those kinds of qualities that emerge in the lives of those who maintain their connection with Jesus (which Paul describes as the "fruit" of the Spirit).  It's one of those things that tend to grow among those who remain (abide as the KJV puts it) with Jesus. 

If you would like to listen once again, or listen for the first time, to Pastor Jon's sermon, click here.

• Kindness.  Not a very flashy or stimulating concept, but one that, when we take a thoughtful moment to reflect upon, is one of those things that in our heart of hearts we not only long for, but also long to be.  It is so simple, and yet it impacts us powerfully and deeply.

  • Sadly, it is also a quality that is too often mocked, dismissed, or simply absent from significant portions of our lives (from Cable News or talk radio personalities, to many of the ways we see people interacting with each other every day).

• Take a moment  to reflect on some recent moments when you have observed, received, or perhaps even shared "kindness." 

• Take a few moments to recall some recent occasion in which what you observed, received, or perhaps even shared that would not be described as "kindness."

As you reflect on your responses, think about these thoughtful reflections:

The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty and Truth.  The trite subjects of human efforts, possessions, outward success, luxury have always seemed to me contemptible.  - Albert Einstein

When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people; as I grow older, I admire kind people.  - Abraham Joshua Heschel.

Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.  - Mother Teresa

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.  - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.  - Mark Twain.

Galatians 5:16-20 (TNIV)

 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever  you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  

Listening for Kindness in the Scriptures

(Noticing interesting places where the fruit grows)

Acts 14:17

Yet he has not left himself without testimony:  He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."

Romans 2:4

God's kindness leads us to repentance.

Ephesians 2:4-7

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The Galatians - Matthew Connection

The same root Greek word chrestos translated in Galatians 5:22 as kindness, also occurs in Matthew 11:28 as easy. An easy yoke is a kind yoke.  Take a moment to read those passages together, thinking about how that understanding enriches the meaning of both verses.

Portraits of Kindness

19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

    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. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Take a few moments to reflect on these scenes that capture kindness as it ripens and is expressed in the lives of people.  Enjoy the way God speaks to us through the pictures.