Kindness and Goodness

I. Introduction: Both goodness and kindness are characteristics that must describe the Christian and actions that are the result of these characteristics.

II. Text: Galatians 5:16-23

III. Kindness

A. Kindness is often associated with an attitude of mercy

B. Titus 3:3-7

C. We were foolish, lustful, and hateful without God; concerned only with self.

D. The kindness of God appeared through the sacrifice of Jesus to save us.

E. We did not earn nor deserve this kindness. God expressed His love through kindness—Jesus’ sacrifice. Through God’s kindness, we can have eternal life.

F. My kindness towards others does not depend on them treating me favorably.

G. It is easy to be kind to those who are kind to us. Our challenge is to be kind when others are hateful or bitter towards us.

H. Kindness seeks the good of others

I. Kindness is not to be a show; it must reflect the desire for good on their part and a change of heart in them.

J. Romans 12:19-21

K. Do not avenge yourselves; let God take care of wrath.

L. We often do not have all of the information and may carry out wrath upon an unsuspecting and innocent fellow Christian. The child of God must not be vengeful; God, as a perfect judge, will properly punish evil against His children.

M. Instead, we are to show kindness to our enemies.

N. Our goal is not to heap coals of fire upon his head! Our goal is to persuade him to give up his hatred and ill will.

O. Evil will consume us or we can consume evil.

P. Hatred is the easiest way for evil to consume a person.

Q. A person is (or perceives he is) wronged by someone else. He dwells on the injustice, playing it out repeatedly in his mind. He interprets other actions as additional ill will and cannot have love in his heart for this monster who has wronged him; evil consumed him. If, in the beginning, he responded with kindness to the injustice, it could have diffused the situation and he could still have mercy and forgiveness in his heart towards the offender. I determine whether I will conquer evil or it will conquer me; I determine it by my actions.

R. By showing kindness, I demonstrate a desire for the salvation of the offender’s soul; I want him to repent, if he is in the wrong; I want God to save him eternally. Ephesians 2:4-7 – God’s kindness seeks our good; we must have this quality

IV. Goodness – Character or state of being good

A. Definition

B. It is an inherent quality of God, Luke 18:19.

C. It leads us to repentance if we do not despise it, Romans 2:4. We must not forget God’s severity if we reject His goodness, Romans 11:22. Goodness also describes action that results from the expression of internal goodness.

D. Differences

E. Kindness generally reflects the nice things that we do to others even when they have ill will towards us.

F. Goodness includes actions that may not be pleasant, such as rebuke or discipline, which we administer with love and a desire to save the soul.

G. When Paul confronted Peter in Galatians 2, he did not want to embarrass Peter but encourage him to be consistent with the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 5, when the church withdrew fellowship from the adulterer in their midst, it was not out of hatred but of a desire to save his soul.

H. Goodness towards others is a reflection of God living in us.

I. We must realize that God created us to do good works, Ephesians 2:10.

J. This is our purpose in life; God made us to do His works on the earth.

K. We realize that most things in our lives have a purpose.

L. When these things fulfill their purpose, we use them. When they do not fulfill their purpose, we discard them. Luke 13:6-9 – The fig tree is given a chance to produce or be discarded Matthew 7:17-20 – Bear fruit or be destroyed

M. We must commit ourselves to good works, 1 Peter 4:19.

N. It is a conscious decision we must make. Each act of goodness requires that we choose to do it at the expense of other activities; goodness does not just happen, we must plan it.

O. We must learn what good works are, 2 Timothy 3:17

P. The word of God equips us for the good we must do. If we want to learn how to serve, we learn how the Father, Jesus, the apostles, and the early Christians served one another. By example and command, we learn the good we must do.

Q. We must maintain good works throughout our lives.

R. We must exercise care in maintaining good works, Titus 3:8.

S. It is easy to become negligent in our duty as other obligations press upon us. We must make a conscious effort to let good works become habits.

T. Realize God’s help in maintaining good works, 2 Corinthians 9:6-12

U. He supplies the tools and can give us strength to do good works. We will reap what we have sown.

V. Realize that our good works glorify God

W. Paul said the Corinthian’s giving glorified God in 2 Corinthians 9. It can silence ignorant men, 1 Peter 2:15-16. It shows that we belong to God, 3 John 11

V. Conclusion

A. Kindness, as a work of the Spirit, is active good will shown towards those who may or may not be kind to us, in order to demonstrate love and mercy.

B. Goodness, as a work of the Spirit, is God’s goodness acting through us to serve others, seeking what is ultimately and eternally best for them.

VI. Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness and Goodness