FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT GALATIANS 5 22 23

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT GALATIANS 5: 22, 23 “KINDNESS” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Defining “Kindness” Gk. “chrestotes” (noun) “gentleness” (KJV) – Arndt & Gingrich 1 “goodness, uprightness” 2 “goodness, kindness, generosity” (p. 886) – William E. Vine: “It signifies ‘not merely’ goodness as a quality, rather it is goodness in action, goodness expressing itself in deeds; yet not goodness expressing itself in indignation against sin, for it is contrasted with severity in Rom. 11: 22, but in grace and tenderness and compassion. ”

Defining “Kindness” • Gk. “chrestos” (adj) – "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matt. 11: 30) – "And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better’" (Lk. 5: 39) – “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil” (Lk. 6: 35)

Romans 11: 22 “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. ” “chrestotes”

The kindness of God –Psalm 107 • • • The Redeemed (vv. 1 -9) The Chastised (vv. 10 -16) The Foolish In Sin (vv. 17 -22) The Mariners in Peril (vv. 23 -32) The Downtrodden (vv. 33 -43) Romans 2: 4 “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness (Gk. chrestotes), forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness (Gk. chrestos) of God leads you to repentance? ”

The kindness of God through His Son • God’s Kindness Is Available to All – through sending His Son (Titus 3: 4 -6) 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

God Calls Us To Kindness • We are challenged to be “kind” to all –to the ungrateful and evil (Lk. 6: 35, 36) –to our brethren (Col. 3: 12, 13) A FULL SPECTRUM!

Kindness Questions • Is my first response clothed in kindness? • Am I a polymorphic Christian?

Being Kind • Doesn’t mean that we tolerate sin –Jesus was kind and compassionate, yet called people out of sin

Being Kind • Doesn’t erase being direct and bold – Jesus was kind and compassionate, yet forceful and bold on occasions – Paul’s letter to the Galatians • Galatians 2: 1 -5; Acts 15: 1 -5

Being Kind • Doesn’t erase being direct and bold – Paul’s letter to the Galatians Believers • Acts 15: 5 False Brethren • Gal. 2: 4

Being Kind • Doesn’t erase being direct and bold – Paul’s letter to the Galatians Foolish & Bewitched • Galatians 3: 1 Falling From Grace • Gal. 5: 4

Kindness § Treating others the way we want to be treated (Jas. 2: 1 -13; Matt. 7: 12; 5: 7) § Being sensitive to another (Jas. 2: 14 -18; Phil. 2: 4; Rom. 12: 15; 1 Cor. 12: 25) § Dealing with others the way your FATHER has dealt with you (Jas. 2: 12, 13; Lk. 6: 35, 36)

• (Lk. 6: 35, 36) 35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

“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)