22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
As we have tracked through the attributes listed in the fruit of the Spirit, the main point has consistently been this: producing this fruit comes as a by-product of closeness
with Christ. Being joyful, patient, or kind does not earn us closeness with Jesus, rather, it is only through closeness in Christ that these things grow in our lives.
Follow Christ’s example of kindness
Have you ever known someone who did a pretty good celebrity impression? One that I hear a lot is Christopher Walken, specifically from the SNL sketch “More Cowbell.” What
makes a good impression? Well, getting the words right, getting the mannerisms right, the accent, the pauses, the inflections, the facial expressions - all these things play a
part. The best impressions come from the people that are most familiar with the material they’re trying to emulate. In a similar way, the Bible tells us to imitate Christ. Jesus
tells His disciples to follow Him, to do what He says, to live and serve by His example, to love like He loves, and forgive like He forgives. In Philippians, Paul tells us to
have the same mindset as Christ.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3-5 (NIV)
Being imitators of Jesus, followers of Jesus, requires much more than just “knowing” the material. Of course, that helps us, but to truly reflect Jesus’ love and light in this
world, we have to be filled with that very love and light that is found only in Jesus Himself. Kindness isn’t just a challenge to be completed, it isn’t just a benchmark to
apply to our actions. It is the very nature of Christ that the Holy Spirit fills and equips us with to represent Jesus in this world.
Kind is more than just “nice”
Kindness is a word that has been circulating a lot in the past several years. I remember growing up in school and receiving challenges for kindness: random acts of
kindness, contagious kindness, you get the idea. Most of these challenges came with solid intentions, even good presentations - but within a couple of weeks, the schools
and the people didn’t look very different. There was a missing piece to this kindness that the world recognized as necessary. The Bible tells us that the missing piece is
Jesus. To have and to express real, lasting, supernatural kindness, we have to rely on Jesus. I want us to look at an example of this in the ministry of one of Jesus’
disciples, Peter. First, let’s look at Jesus’ encounter with a man in need of healing and then see Peter’s actions reflecting those of Christ.
5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, He asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. John 5:5-9a (NIV)
And now for Peter’s encounter.
2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. Acts 3:2-7 (NIV)
The parallels in these two encounters are amazing. Here we see kindness on display - not just in the miracle, but in the encounters themselves. Jesus went to the man that
was in need, the man that so many others would simply look past and walk past every day. But Jesus called out to the man, this man who had no one else, and helped
him. In a similar way, Peter called out to this man in need, who asked them for money even though his real need was beyond financial. Peter, relying on Jesus, extended
the same healing and kindness that he once saw in Jesus’ ministry. For us today, God produces kindness in us and through us as we follow Jesus in the Bible, in prayer, in
worship, in serving, and in every part of our lives. Who is God putting in your path? Who is the next person that God wants to reveal the kindness of Jesus to through you?
Pray and seek Christ. Ask God to help you remain in Jesus and to follow His example well.
