It’s easy to be kind to nice and pleasant people or to those who do things for us. But it is a challenge to be kind to people who take advantage of us or who have wronged us. By the Holy Spirit working in us, we can rise to the level of kindness that allows us to reach out and help those who seem undeserving.
Romans 12:20-21 If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Luke 6:27-28 But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.
Kindness Is Having a Compassionate Heart for Others That Motivates Us Toward Action
Christians should always be about looking outward, paying attention to the needs and struggles of others – whether or not those people have have earned the right to our kindness. True kindness is also going beyond just feeling bad for someone but being willing to take action to help them.
This is what God did for us. He saw our brokenness and had compassion for our condition. He chose to be kind. But he didn’t stop there. He took action to fix the problem by sending Jesus to die for us.
Romans 5:6-8 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
God’s Kindness Leads Us to Recognize our Need for Him
God’s kindness draws us toward him. His love, care, and grace makes us want to be around him more. And when we’re around him more, we will understand our need for him.
Romans 2:4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
This is how it should be for us as Christians as we relate to the world around us. The fruit of kindness emanating from us should draw others to want to know the source of our kindness.
Goodness Speaks to Our Character and the Desire to Be More Like God
The word “goodness” means to be like God. This doesn’t mean we become “a god.” It just means that as we remain in Christ, and the fruit of kindness continues to grow in us, our nature will change more and more to look like Jesus.
Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
The Bible talks about the goodness of God as part of his character. It’s not something he does; it’s who he is. As we continue to become new creations, becoming more like Christ, goodness can become more of a character trait in us, too. Instead of being motivated to do good because we want accolades or rewards, we do good because we’ve allowed God to change our hearts. We choose obedience to God and bring honor to him. We choose to be kind and to serve others because we understand all that God has given to us.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
As we allow the Holy Spirit to grow more of his kindness and goodness in our lives, we will draw others to want to know this kind and gracious God.
Discussion Questions:
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- Share a story of someone’s kind act that greatly affected you. How did you respond? Why?
- Share a story of someone’s unkind act that greatly affected you. How did you respond? Why?
- Read Romans 12:20-21. Think about the people who have been unkind to you. What actions could you take to live out this verse with those people?
- Read Luke 6:27-28. How does praying for people who have hurt us help us in the end? Share a personal example.
- Why is action a necessary part of true kindness?
- Read Romans 5:6-8. Why is it significant to know that Jesus died for us while we were still in our sinful condition? How does this verse challenge you with the more difficult relationships in your life?
- Describe how you’ve changed since putting your trust in Jesus. How have you seen God work in your life to change you?
- Read 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12. What are some practical ways you can be kind to others that would point them to want to know Jesus?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
Adapted from the book The Fruit of the Spirit: Becoming The Person God Wants You to Be by Thomas Trask and Wayde Goodall.
