Fruit of the Spirit - Pt. 5

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-25 ESV).

 

The fifth fruit of the Spirit is “kindness.” Jesus spoke to this with a parable in Luke’s gospel:

 

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37 ESV).

 

Kindness meets the needs of people in concrete ways. A kind driver stops along the roadside to help someone change a flat tire. A kind neighbor will reach out to babysit when the family across the street must rush one of their children to the emergency room. A kind motorist or pedestrian will help to give you directions in an unfamiliar town. Kindness is the merciful action of a loving heart.

 

But some people refuse to reach out and show kindness. In Jesus’ parable of the good Samaritan, a priest saw the man lying beaten along the road and passed by on the other side. A Levite did the same thing. But a Samaritan who came along helped the beaten man even though he was despised as an enemy. He acted as a neighbor because he showed mercy to the man in need. He was kind. I know wisdom must intercede in some situations where kindness and help might be used; however, I also believe that kindness is the world’s greatest unused capital. A veritable gold mine of kindness lies buried within us, just waiting to be let out when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Look for those people God brings into your path that you might show them a kindness today.