OVERCOMERS With the Fruit of the SpiritSampl

 Kindness: Caring in a Care-less World   

  Unkind people cannot preach the gospel — it would be a sham. Our arms of kindness are the only ones God has to embrace others and the only way for people to know He cares. The fruit of the Spirit is not intended for passive acceptance, locked away for safekeeping. It is meant to invigorate and empower us to be “about our Father‘s work.“ Today, the need for the Holy Spirit’s fruit of kindness to blossom in our lives and nourish our wasting world is undeniable. People are hungry for the hope that they matter to someone — and they do, they matter to God and to us… He cares. And because He does, He lavishes His kindness on those who care about Him and on those who don’t. 

Acts 14:16-17 explains, “In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” What a good God! For those who don’t believe that He lives and those who don’t even care if He does, our God still reaches in kindness. And His kindness isn’t dependent on the reciprocation of those He blesses with it, He is kind because that is who He is — a kindhearted God (see Matthew 5:44-46). 

We are called and empowered to be the same way through the Holy Spirit. Millions of people will never open the Bible, but Christians are an open book to them, and we can open our lives to Galatians 5:22, allowing His fruit of kindness to blossom, grow, and feed their hungry hearts. Verses like Colossians 3:12 aren’t just flamboyant accessories, as “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,” we truly are called to clothe ourselves “with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Kindness can glorify God and give a testimony without a word!