The Fruit of the Kindness: Giving to the World Around Us
by Daniel Burton
Taking an honest look at the world, there are certain people that we find easier to be kind to than others. People similar to us tend to be the ones we show kindness towards. Agreeableness tends to breed kindness simply because there is no reason to fight or quarrel. Yet, when a person disagrees with us or wrongs us in some way, kindness quickly flies out the window. The rules of civility quickly disappear and our heels dig in to whatever position we once held for the sake of being right. Relationships are damaged all for the sake of whatever minuscule argument we entered. Sure, not every case is THIS extreme, but the undergirding principles are still present. The root issues express themselves through our need to view ourselves and our positions as much higher than we should. If kindness stems from a self-sacrifice (as we discussed earlier in the series) and goes beyond a simple niceness (as we discussed earlier in the series) and goes beyond a simple niceness (which we looked at the second part of this series), then kindness is a type of grace that we show to others.
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
Kindness As A Grace
Truth be told, kindness is a form of grace. There is no moral obligation to be kind to a person. You see this most evident for every attempt to legalize “kindness.” Any attempt of seeing to move it from a grace to a legally binding requirement fails and restricts the freedom of the individual. To be clear, you do not HAVE to be kind. Just as God, in kindness, did not have to breathe life into your lungs and cause you to come to life. Or as God, in His kindness, had no obligation to provide the law for the people who rebelled against Him time and time again. Or, rescue them out of slavery and oppression out of His kindness. Nor did the universe obligate Jesus Christ to die for our sins or for the Holy Spirit to dwell inside of us. Each act was an act of kindness and a grace given to the people who sought after God.
God showed kindness to mankind as a grace that we simply could not earn. Similarly, the Holy Spirit moving inside of us produces kindness for those around us all. When you wait for the justification to show kindness to a person, you make a mockery of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who waited for no justification to save mankind from their sins but became the justification for our salvation on our behalf. People cannot earn kindness and nor should they be expected to so. We never know the need a person has or the pain a person carries in their heart that could be easily soothed by kindness. Carrying the light of Christ extends to the angriest of persons no matter their past, their disposition, or their demeanor. Everyone needs the kindness of Lord to be revealed to them and the grace of God poured out on them.
Kindness for the Difficult
We cannot ignore the fact that demonstrating kindness will be difficult. First, in all honesty, our flesh desires war and turmoil. 
Our default state rises up to challenge and fight, even during times when it would be better to submit. Beyond that, the call to show kindness to others extends to those who will disagree with us, show utter contempt, and push away most attempts at kindness. These, though, are precisely the ones who need the kindness the most. The hurt of mankind shows itself by shoving out any attempts at grace for the sake of being protected rather than vulnerable. During those times, we can deal merely with the topic of discussion or with the soul who is speaking. Even in defending what is good, moral, and true, the Spirit filled Christian does so on the foundation of grace and kindness. The objective is not to win a debate, but to win souls to Christ and serve as signpost to return home to Him.
Kindness philosophically roots itself in two facets. First that every human being, no matter what their background, demeanor, or actions demonstrate, is made in the image of God. Second, the Holy Spirit inside of us expresses the nature of God through our hands. Any other factor is irrelevant. There may be disagreement, anger, or contempt, but the two assumptions will not change. Therefore, every interaction becomes an opportunity to display the kindness of Jesus Christ in our interactions with other. People are not opponents but are dearly beloved creations with value and worth given from above. Thus, all are eligible for the self-sacrificial giving of kindness. Everyone bearing the image of God is worthy of receiving the grace of kindness by those who represent their heavenly maker.
For more in this series, check out The Fruit of the Spirit
