THE GLORY OF GOD ( PART# 84)
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3382
THE GLORY OF GOD ( PART# 84)
From Glory to Glory ( Study #63)
Walking By The Spirit #33
REVIEW OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT#7
When a believer is controlled by the Holy Spirit, he or she manifests:
1) UPWARD FRUIT ( towards God ): Love, Joy, Peace (Galatians 5:22)
2) OUTWARD FRUIT ( towards others )
(Galatians 5:22b) which consists of
patience,
kindness and
goodness (faithfulness)
3) INWARD FRUIT ( towards self )
(Galatians 5:22-23)
made up of faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control.
1. OUTWARD FRUIT OF PATIENCE, KINDNESS, AND GOODNESS TOWARDS OTHERS
KINDNESS AS THE SECOND OUTWARD FRUIT TOWARDS OTHERS
The fifth word
Kindness (Greek: Chrēstotēs) is
derived from a verb meaning “to take into use” and has the basic sense of “excellent,” “serviceable,” or “useful.” It refers to something that is well suited for its purpose, such as a “worker” bee, an “orderly” house, or “healthy and tasty” food.
When the word is applied to people, it meant they were “worthy,” “decent,” “honest.” When a person is all that they are supposed to be—when a human is humane—one is decent, reliable, gentle, and kind.
This Kindness is not just a sweet disposition: it is a serving, productive trait as well.
Some mistake kindness as just a good personal quality that will help people like you. They think kind Christians are old aunties or uncles with a beatific smile. It goes way beyond that.
It is proactive: anticipating the needs of others and fulfilling it. It takes a believer with a sacrificial spirit to be kind in a godly way.
Possessing godly kindness makes the difference between useful or
ineffective service unto others:
Let us read 2 Timothy 2:20-26.
[20] Now in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. [21] Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. [22] So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. [23] Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. [24] And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, [25] correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, [26]and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (ESV).
Abba Father, Kindness is not soppy or sloppy Agape allowing others to step upon us as doormats at their convenience like a 24/7 service center.
It is pro-active and ultimately useful in fulfilling the needs of others. It involves sacrifices sometimes painful and even costly. It involves our time, energy, monies, and talents to be kind. And a sterling character that emulates Christ's at His most-giving - to the poor and disfranchised, to hapless or aged widows and orphans, to foreigners and the sick or ailing in our midst - not forgetting compassion for lost souls.
Whatever our calling to be caregivers, Kindness as a fruit comes from the maturing or matured love of God (Agape ) in our hearts which was deposited there originally by the Holy Spirit given to us ( Romans 5:5 ).
It is a call that is greater than caring for own selves: it is like Agape a giving without any expectation of return.
