I memorized a familiar portion of Scripture as a child:

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

– Ephesians 4:32, NIV

Does God still call me to this today? Does He desire to see kindness and goodness in my life?

When I look at the fruit of the Spirit, I have to give each one equal weight. For example, I might be tempted to consider peace more important than kindness. But Paul clearly communicates that all nine of these attributes comprise the work that the Holy Spirit produces in us. We don’t pick and choose.

So, why, then, might God want to display His work in us through our kindness and goodness? Perhaps, it’s not about us at all. Maybe He wants us to reveal His Son Jesus through the kindness and goodness we have received from Christ.

Paul reminds us in Romans that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. David shares in the Psalms that God’s goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives.

How might I reveal more about Jesus by letting others see how kind and how good He is? For me, it starts with forgiveness. God is so generous with His mercy and forgiveness. He lavishes His love on us when He calls us His own:

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

– I John 3:1, ESV

Spend time in prayer:
Father, today I give thanks for your kindness and goodness toward me. Because I have your Holy Spirit living within me, I too can display these qualities that help others see you. Lord, will you cause me to recall the ways you have bestowed your loving kindness on me so that I don’t forget and slip into self-sufficiency? You are my all in all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Cheryl-DavisOur Kindness and Goodness or God’s?
Cheryl Lee Davis, Vice President of Women’s Connections

March 25, 2016 [printfriendly]

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