Fruit Of The Spirit
Pt. 5 Kindness
Galatians 5:13-26

The fruit of my flesh is RIVALRY and DISSENSION
The Greco-Roman world had strict social strata and used heavy politicking to gain influence or power, where the ends often justified the means. As their culture didn’t believe in a singular moral god holding people accountable after death, whatever a person did in this life to get ahead was seen as acceptable. Taking advantage of others puts you at a disadvantage with God (Job 28:24; Prov. 15:3; Heb. 4:13)! One evidence of a sinful, self-focused heart is the manipulating others for selfish benefit. In Paul’s culture, rivalry (Gr. eritheia, ‘self-seeking gain regardless of the discord created—used of politicians seeking public approval using trickery or lies’) and division (Gr. dichostasia, ‘to stand apart, separate people’) was normal and expected. What is normal to people is abnormal to God!

The fruit of the Holy Spirit in me is KINDNESS
Into a culture of self-service and divisive action, the Gospel started to shine. The Holy Spirit’s work in a believer’s heart moved them from creating division to cultivating unity through kindness (Gr. chréstotés, ‘excellence, usefulness to others’). Kindness comes from a heart proactively wanting unity with someone by treating them well. Kindness is shown in helping others know they’re valued and cared for. A Christian’s aim should be ‘How can I be personally kind today?’ rather than ‘How can I create relational chaos today?’ (Matt. 7:12). Kindness works by God giving emotional strength that wants repaired relationships and unity instead of creating groups and division. Disunity creates dis-kindness. Kindness and self-service or bitterness can’t coexist in a heart with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:32). Kindness is the outworking of a heart filled with God’s love!

I need to act more KIND in my life
As God has a heart of kindness toward His creation, believers should be known for it personally and corporately. A church’s goal isn’t political alignment or social good alone. But it is the heart of Jesus, evidenced by kind words and actions that display the unity and love of God’s people to a disunified and loveless world. While anyone can act kind or selfless, it is so rare that Christians should have a reputation for it, thereby attracting others to Jesus. A true demonstration of kindness is a true demonstration of Jesus!