The Fruit of the Spirit Kindness

Kindness defined  Greek chrestotes –“The sympathetic kindliness or sweetness of temper which puts others at their ease, and shrinks from giving pain” (Plummer)

Kindness in the OT  In the Septuagint, “kindness” is used most often to describe God –The word is translated in many ways  Ps 65:9-13 – God’s goodness in nature –65:11 – translated “bounty”  Ps 145:1-7 – In the events of history –145:7 – translated “abundant goodness”  Ps 119:65-68 – In His word –119:68 – translated “good”

Kindness in the OT  God’s kindness to certain people… –Nah 1:7  To those afflicted who trust in Him –Ps 68:10  To the poor who follow Him –Ps 34:8  To those who hope and trust in Him –Ps 31:19  To all those who fear Him

Kindness in the NT  Kindness of God –Lk 6:35-36  Even to ungrateful and evil men –Titus 3:4-7  In giving His Son  Kindness of His children –Col 3:12-13 –Eph 4:31-32 –1 Cor 13:4

Conclusion  Do we act with kindness toward others? –Are they at ease in our presence? –Do they feel they can draw close to us?  Or do we discourage others? –Do we make others uncomfortable? –Do we give others a cold shoulder?

Conclusion “This Christian kindness is a lovely thing, and its loveliness comes from the fact that Christian kindness means treating others in the way in which God has treated us.” (Barclay)