The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

The Fruit of the Spirit:  Kindness

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
^“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

In the above passage,  the Greek word chrestos is translated as “kindness.”  Chrestos means usefulness and moral excellence.  Therefore, being kind is practical, functional and serviceable.  Therefore, living in moral excellence is practical, functional and serviceable. 

Reaching out in kindness not only sends a ray of sunlight into the world, but also benefits the one who is kind.  “The kind man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.” (Proverbs 11:17 NKJV)  It is good for our own lives when we are kind.  All of God’s directives are for our benefit.  His desire is for us to have abundant lives. (John 10:10b)  Kindness is based on God’s love, joy, peace and patience.  Kindness leads us into an abundant life in Him.

Because true kindness is based on agape, unconditional love, our kindness must be unconditional as well.  To truly experience the abundant life, we must be kind when others are not. 

From “Quotes about Kindness” http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/kindness:  (Not all quotes are from Christians.)

▪People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway. (Kent M. Keith)

▪ “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” (Plato)

 ▪ “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” (Henry James)

▪ “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” (Mark Twain)

▪ “Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.” (George Sand)

▪ “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”  (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

▪ “I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness.” (Mother Teresa)

Kindness is an attribute of God.  When we are kind to others, we are demonstrating who God is.  Because of our kindness, others may be drawn to our Lord. Kindness is a practical evangelistic tool.  

 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV) How can we refuse kindness to others when God has been so kind to us?

"Try a Little Kindness" is the title of a song written by Curt Sapaugh and Bobby Austin.  It was first recorded Glen Campbell.

“If you see your brother standing by the road
With a heavy load from the seeds he's sowed
And if you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and say "You're going the wrong way"

You got to try a little kindness, yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

Don't walk around the down and out
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way

You got to try a little kindness, yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness, then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets.”

The Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

The Fruit of the Spirit:  Patience

 By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
^“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

            As we have learned, walking in the agape love of God brings joy and peace into our lives.  It is in that love, joy and peace that we develop longsuffering.  Many translations use “patience” instead of “longsuffering.” 

          The Greek word according to Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary is “makrothumos”.  A close reading of the definition teaches us the personal characteristics that underscore Christian patience.  Longanimity, forbearance and fortitude are included in Strong’s definition.

            Longanimity is defined as patient endurance of hardship, injuries, or offense; forbearance, calmness in the face of suffering and adversity, and toleration, moved by love and the desire for peace, of something painful that deserves to be rejected or opposed.  In summary, longanimity is good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence.  (http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=longanimity)  The operative word is “good-natured”.  A good nature is founded upon love, joy and peace. 

 

            One definition of forbearance in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is “the quality of someone who is patient and able to deal with a difficult person or situation without becoming angry.”  Fortitude is strength and courage in the face of trial.  Fortitude comes from the joy of the Lord which is our strength.

 

            Before we can show forbearance to other people, we must first learn to be patient with our Lord.  Many times, God asks us to wait patiently before Him as He works in us and through us.  “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV). 

 

            Paul penned a powerful description of patience in Romans 12:
^“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;  rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:10-18 (NKJV).

            With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).  We must remember that, as Christians, the Holy Spirit of God indwells us.  Because of that indwelling, the fruit of the Spirit is already present in our lives.  It is important for us to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and to empower us to manifest that fruit.   Then we can concur with Job, “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10 NKJV).

The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

The Fruit of the Spirit:  Peace

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
^“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

In previous articles, we have confessed that God is loving, full of agape for His creation and that He is joyful. In our spirits, we have heard joy resounding throughout the heavens, into the universe and into our hearts.  As God is transforming us into the image of His son, He is teaching us to walk in His attributes, in the fruit of the Spirit.

In God, in His agape love, we find no turmoil, frustration, anxiety or fear.  Through the Holy Spirit abiding in believers, we can walk in His peace.  Just hours before He faced the agony of the cross, Jesus said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:26-27 NKJV).

We often foolishly look for peace in the ways of the world.  We think if we were just richer, more attractive, more popular, more medicated, more romantic, more in control, we would have peace.  We need only watch the evening news to learn that none of these brings peace to our souls.  In its own way, each may bring sensual pleasure or oblivion, but none brings the peace our hearts cry out for. 

What is Jesus’ peace?  He told us, “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Peace comes in the absence of fear.  Peace comes when we walk by faith. 

Are we concerned about provision, about having enough to meet the needs of our families?  Paul wrote, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NKJV).  A word of warning:  we must be cautious about confusing our “wants” with our “needs.”

When worry and anxiety seem to overwhelm us, we can trust in His word. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:6-9 NKJV).

When negative thoughts assault our joy, the word of God directs us to change those thoughts. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” Colossians 3:2 (NKJV).   Just as happiness is a choice, so are positive thoughts.

At a time when weariness and despair gripped my pre-Christian life, the following passage brought me to the Lord. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV).  In His love, I have found His peace.

"Peace, Peace, Wonderful Peace"
Words: Warren D. Cor­nell, 1889, alt.
Music: W. George Coo­per, 1889

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.

Refrain:
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!

I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!

And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:

Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime!

The Fruit of the Spirit: Joy

The Fruit of the Spirit:  Joy

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
^“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

May we never forget that the attributes of God are manifested in the fruit of the Spirit.  We easily see and accept God as loving.  We receive His agape.  We need also to remember that God is joyful.  We must be as willing to accept His joy as we are willing to accept His love.  We have filled our imaginations with images of the piety of heaven filled with somber-faced saints and expressionless angelic beings surrounding the Throne. 

But joy is a fruit of the Spirit.  True joy has its foundation in agape, in love.  Heaven reverberates with the sounds of laughter.  Just as joy surrounds the Throne of Heaven, joy should surround our lives as well.  God is joyful.  His desire is that we should be joyful as well. John Wesley, founder of Methodism, said, “Sour godliness is the devil’s religion.” Refuse to go there.

While happiness may depend upon our circumstances, joy depends upon our relationship with the Lord.  Therefore, joy transcends happiness. An abiding relationship with the Lord enables us to be joyful in spite of our circumstances. 

When the group led by Nehemiah returned from Persia to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, they faced opposition and accusation. When the wall was completed, the people gathered as Ezra the priest read to them from the Law of Moses.  Upon hearing the word of God, the people turned from their celebration and lamented that they had fallen so far away from God during the years of their captivity.  Nehemiah encouraged them. “Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV)

Joy allows us to get beyond our past and rejoice in the Lord’s deliverance.  Anguish weakens us.  Joy strengthens us for our journey through this life.  Joy is a life-giving, life-sustaining force.

▪Proverbs 15:13-15 (NKJV)
^“ A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.”

▪Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV)
^“A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”

We are the temple of the Holy Spirit of God.  Our hearts are His throne.  Just as joy surrounds the heavenly throne, joy must surround His throne in our hearts.  Because of the Holy Spirit, joy resides in us.  It is our choice to walk in it.  Let’s choose to go forth in joy and victory in the Lord. The joy of the Lord is our strength.