Kindness (The Fruit of the Spirit in You)

Kindness                                                                                 Day 61

Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Luke 6:37

During courtroom trials, a verdict is not given until all the evidence has been presented. Only then does a judge or jury make a decision about the case. Away from court, it has become common for opinions and critiques to be made about a person based on individual acts or associations. How would we appear if God treated us based on a moment’s glance during our past failures or times of weakness? If we were to be judged based on our fruit, we would hope that the decision would not be made until we were fully ripe.

Our acts or attitudes of kindness to others should not focus on temporary or former circumstances. We can choose to be kind regardless of someone’s past acts or current situation. Our kindness should have a long term and eternal view. This view allows us to be kind, regardless of the moment. Our kindness should never condone what is wrong. However, we should never forget the grace that God abundantly provides.

Let us be mindful that our momentary acts of kindness may be the God-sent, spiritual inspiration someone needs to grow closer to Him. While we continue to grow ourselves, let us be careful in what we say to others or about others. We all need forgiveness. So, let us treat others with a kindness that reflects the grace God has given each of us.

See more at www.thefruitinyou.com

Fruit of the Holy Spirit

                                Fruit of the Holy Spirit in You - Kindness ( Proverbs 14:31) Day 60

Kindness (The Fruit of the Spirit in You)

Kindness                                                                                 Day 60

He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

Proverbs 14:31

We strive most days to improve ourselves, our financial security, and our position in life. Along the way, there may be the temptation to look down on or discount those who are not making the same strides that we are making. It is easy to impose our own experiences, expectations, and backgrounds onto their situations. We may ask why has he or she chosen to remain in or give in to that lifestyle. We may wonder what mistakes have they made to cause them to struggle or to be in their circumstances.

Instead of examining for fault in the lives of others, let us seek ways that we can bless others. While we are taking time to criticize, we may be failing to recognize the opportunities God has provided for us to help others. We may be missing chances to share knowledge that God has blessed us to have. How many families and children might be impacted if we stopped sharing opinions and started sharing time? You may need to take the time and consider, “Where would you be if there was not a blessing in your past or in the past of your family long ago?”

To honor our God is to honor His ways. So, let us honor Him in how we treat others. This day, let us have mercy on those in need. Let us seek to serve others with a spirit of kindness. Let us remember the mercy and grace God has shown toward us. 

See more at www.thefruitinyou.com

Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Fruit of the Holy Spirit in You - KIndness ( Titus 3:4-5) Day 59

Kindness (The Fruit of the Spirit in You)

Kindness                                                                                 Day 59

  ⁴ God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. ⁵ He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:4-5

We have access to so many comforts by way of modernization or our citizenship that it is easy to feel entitled to certain comforts and luxuries. However, if we attempt to believe that we are entitled to salvation, then just when did we earn God’s grace and mercy? What act has anyone ever done that caused him or her to be entitled to eternal life? How did they earn the forgiveness of their sins and wrongdoings? What words have ever been spoken that entitled someone to the mercy of God?

Truly, there is no action that we can take or word we can ever speak that will prove that we deserve God’s mercy. Even though we could never earn mercy, Christ died for us as the ultimate act of kindness. If God never does anything else for us, His kindness (by way of His grace and mercy) truly is sufficient.

Let us show that we do not take grace for granted. We can show that we do appreciate His loving kindness toward us through our kindness to others. As Christ has been kind to us, let us express to the world that we, as God’s children, have this spirit of kindness.

See more at www.thefruitinyou.com

Fruit of the Holy Spirit

                             Fruit of the Holy Spirit in You - Kindness (1 Corinthians 13:4) Day 58

Kindness (The Fruit of the Spirit in You)

Kindness                                                                                 Day 58

Love . . . is kind

1 Corinthians 13:4

Just as wealth may be passed from generation to generation, so may family values and lessons. These lessons, once learned or adopted by others in the past, in time, may prove to be either valid or not. Nevertheless, such lessons, along with the opinions of our associates, may cause us to instinctively respond in certain ways towards certain people and situations. The question ultimately may be asked, are we guided by the values of others or the value of love taught by Christ?

Do we have a litmus test for when we will be proactive with kindness? Do we criticize the unwed mother and forget that she chose life over abortion? Do we avoid helping young people in particular neighborhoods because we feel the people in those communities should help their own? Do we refuse to assist some individuals due to the differences in our political opinions and miss out on opportunities to share the gospel? Such unkindness may present a false view of true, loving Christianity.

Let us not discriminate in our love, but kindly love all. We are to love our neighbors and enemies as ourselves. We are not at war with our neighbors. We should not need a diplomatic policy to establish how to actively be kind to others. We need a spiritual policy of love that motivates us to act with kindness.

See more at www.thefruitinyou.com