Disciple Up #63
Fruit of the Spirit – Kindness, Gal. 5:22
By Louie Marsh, 6-4-2018
“Cruel to Be Kind” is a 1979 single by Nick Lowe,
You gotta be
Cruel to be kind in the right measure
Cruel to be kind it’s a very good sign
Cruel to be kind means that I love you
Baby, you gotta be cruel to be kind
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness… Galatians 5:22 (ESV)
1) Kindness is treating others & myself the way JESUS WOULD.
This word describes “the sympathetic kindliness or sweetness of temper which puts others at their ease, and shrinks from giving pain
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30 (ESV)
Christ’s yoke is wholesome, serviceable, kindly. “Christ’s yoke is like feathers to a bird; not loads, but helps to motion” (Jeremy Taylor).
- Jesus is my ROLE MODEL of kindness really is.
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)
- Kindness flows from Jesus and leads me CLOSER to him.
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7 (ESV)
- I am called to BE KIND like Jesus whether it’s appreciated & returned or not.
35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Luke 6:35 (ESV)
- Kindness isn’t always NICE
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. Proverbs 27:6 (ESV)
22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Matthew 16:22-23 (ESV)
2) God’s kindness leads me to TURN MY LIFE AROUND.
4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4 (ESV)
3) God’s kindness in Christ is also a MAJOR MOTIVATOR to spiritual growth.
1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3 (ESV)
If I’m not growing spiritually perhaps a lack of experiencing Jesus’ kindness is a cause.
4) God kindly calls me to voluntarily accept Jesus as Lord, the only true way to live.
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
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