Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Fruit of the Spirit :: Kindness


I was worried about posting this week, as I was sure I was going to get kindness and goodness confused and intertwined (even though they are) and really miss what God was wanting me to learn about being kind. So, I turned to my trusty dictionary/concordance in the back of my nifty NLT Study Bible and found this:
Kindness - the quality or state of being kind...
Ugh, I loathe when they do that, so, I flipped back a few pages and found this:
Kind - affectionate, loving; of a sympathetic or helping nature
Bingo!! I have used the adjective kind to describe myself on numerous occasions, but I don't think I ever looked to see what it really means.

In looking through the bible on passages that reference kindness, I was struck and convicted by 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?
No, I guess not. I don't know. I do now. That was all I could answer to those questions.

I am not a perfect person. I have my flaws, I have my faults, I have my sins. But to think God is kind to someone like me, God is patient with me and my shortcomings. God shows such kindness to me that even in my wrongdoings, he is tolerant and shows me His kindness to turn me from my sin really shows to me just who He is.

Am I really like that? As someone who prides myself in being kind and showing kindness, do I really show kindness as God would? It's a hard pill to swallow, but I would say no. I would say that according to the definition of kind, I am affectionate, loving and helpful. But, when I look to God and see how I am truly supposed to be kind, I fall way short. I am not as tolerant as I should be, I often judge. I am not as helpful about turning others to sin, I often gossip about it. So, in all reality, am I kind?

It is my prayer this week that God would convict me of where I fall short of being kind to others. He would show me ways I can be kind and continue to remind me of His kindness and mercy.

Be sure to check out what Carrie has to say about kindness, and be sure to join us next week as we discuss goodness.

1 comment:

Sue said...

I think I'm like you in this area... generally speaking I'm kind and generous, compassionate and caring but nowhere near where God is or where I'm sure He wants me to be. My hubby is much more like God in this area. He astounds me in his kindness and caring, particularly to those I don't think are worth it (isn't that awful to confess!).

Thanks for this thought-provoking post! Hugs