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God tells us that, since He has chosen us to be His children that He loves, we have a responsibility to clothe ourselves in tenderhearted mercy and kindness (Colossians 3:12 NLT). 

We've been told to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" since we were 3 years old.

So, sometimes we can take the idea of kindness for granted. But, when we do a Bible scripture study on kindness, we find out the emphasis that our Heavenly Father really puts on just being nice. 


Proverbs, known as the book of wisdom, holds some wisdom for us regarding kindness. We are told that there is actually a reward for being kind. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. -Proverbs 3:2-4 (NLT)


I've heard many Christians confessing the end of this scripture - "I have favor with God and man." But, as I have said before, God works in covenant promises. If you are not doing your part of the promise, you can not expect to walk in the provision. Yes, we all want to live many years and have our lives be satisfying. We want to have favor with God and with people. But, have we hung kindness and loyalty around our necks as reminders to always walk in them? 


That is where the Holy Spirit comes in. It is there to help you to be kind to people who do not deserve your kindness anymore than you deserve the kindness of a Holy God. As you grow in the area of kindness through God's Spirit, you will be surprised how many people you begin to draw to God. Becoming a representative of His mercy and kindness here on the earth allows you to be a reflection of God's unconditional love. Let the world see the love of God through your kindness.

It’s all goodness.

For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light...For the fruit...of the light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. -Ephesians 5:8-9 (AMP) 


This Fruit of " the Spirit," as God puts it in this scripture, is being kind, having a heart for righteousness, and living a life that is true and dedicated to the source of truth - The Lord. What makes a person good? 


Sometimes religion can get us to focus on lots of little rules and regulations. We get distracted by denominations, or even things that amount to no more than rituals. But, God is looking at your heart. And He is looking at your life. Is it full of goodness? 


The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. -Romans 14:15 (NLT) 


Those should be the things that we focus our energies on. Because those are the things that matter to God.

Watch Yourself 

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased;and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. ~ Proverbs 29:23 


Faith: What is faith? 


NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. -Hebrews 11:1 (AMP) 


Faith is the "title deed," or, essentially, the proof of ownership for the things that you are still hoping for. The things that, with your senses, you can't even see yet. In fact, you may be seeing the opposite! But, it is your faith that is the confirmation that you already possess it in the spiritual realm. 


Faith is probably one of the biggest challenges, because it is believing in something that you can not see, long after you thought it would have appeared. That is why faith is not something you have to come up with on your own - It is a One of the 9 Fruits of the Spirit. I have heard a lot of Christians say that they are not sure that they have enough faith for something. Hey, I've even said it myself. But, faith is not something that you just have to scrounge up from inside of yourself. It is something that grows inside of you from spending time with God's Holy Spirit. 


Never think that you do not have enough faith. The Holy Spirit is your source for as much as you need! 

Reflection Questions:

  • Do you feel that many Christians take kindness and mercy for granted?
  • Have you ever done this yourself?
  • What is the kindest thing that you have done for someone?
  • What do you think qualifies a person as being "good" in God's eyes?
  • Can a person live a sinful life but still be good? Why or why not?
  • Have you ever thought that you did not have enough faith for something?
  • How does it feel to know that developing faith is something the Holy Spirit has been sent to help you with?
  • Are there any of the 9 Fruits of the Spirit that you thought would be difficult to develop?
  • What do you think are the best ways to develop the 9 Fruits of the Spirit in your own life?

Source

Additional resources:

Ministries
Faith Formation