Galatians 5:22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives HE will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. [Living Bible]
Summary
KINDNESS is another Superfruit of the HOLY SPIRIT.
The word "kindness" comes from the Greek word "chrestotes" (khray-stot-ace), which means to be friendly to others, compassionate, considerate, sympathetic, humane, kind or gentle. See, www.wikipedia.org.
One scholar has noted that when the word chrestotes is applied to interpersonal relationships, it conveys the idea of being adaptable to others. Rather than harshly require everyone else to adapt to his/her own needs and desires, when chrestotes is working in a believer, he/she seeks to become adaptable to the needs of those who are around him/her. (Sparkling Gems from the Greek, Rick Renner).
Id.
An example of kindness would be how one might treat a guest in your home. In one of his Nero Wolfe novels, author Rex Stout says: "a guest is a jewel that rests on a cushion of hospitality." In other words, when a guest visits, they automatically get special treatment. A guest is never required to wash his or her dishes. A guest is offered the best in the house—the best food, the best china, the best towels, the greatest comforts. We extend ourselves for guests and make every effort to make things "easy" for them.
Kindness is about that same generosity of spirit. It is going out of your way to make the person comfortable. It is giving without asking anything in return. It is trying to help someone else and make their life better not because of what they can give you or offer you in return.
Our model for kindness is GOD. Ephesians 2:7-8 states:
And now God can always point to us as examples of how very, very rich HIS kindness
is, as shown in all HE has done for us through Jesus Christ. Because of HIS kindness
you have been saved through trusting Christ....
In other words, yet while we were still sinners and estranged from the very nature of GOD HIMSELF, because of our human corruption, GOD was kind to us by giving us the very best HE had, HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. When we had nothing to offer GOD in return, HE so very generously gave to us. GOD made it easy for us! Instead of us dying on a cross, HIS SON did. Instead of turning HIS back on us, HE treats us like royalty. We become heirs. We were adopted into HIS family.
Ephesians 4:31-32 reminds us to:
Stop being mean, bad-tempered and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as GOD has forgiven you because you belong to CHRIST.
This means that kindness is not a single random act---rather, kindness it is a lifestyle. Kindness has to permeate everything we do.
Kindness is a tall order! Most Superfruit are. But, if we are to belong to CHRIST, we have to eat the Superfruit of KINDNESS daily! Some things will simply have no place in our lives!
KEEPING TRACK OF FOOD AND FITNESS CHOICES
Just as we have to look carefully to see if our interactions "line up" with what scripture tells us about kindness, it is also helpful to see how our eating habits and exercise activities "line up" with regard to good dietary and physical health.
One way we can determine if we are being consistent is to keep a food and activities diary for a period of time.
According to www.WebMD.com :
It has been clinically proven that keeping track of what you eat is the #1 most effective method for controlling and reducing your daily caloric intake.
So, write it down. Write down what you eat and your physical activities for at least one week. Then examine what you have written to see if you can make better choices.*
If you are under the care of a physician, you may want to take your diary with you the next time you see your physician to discuss your results.
When you review your diary, be sure to be kind to yourself! Your goal is to make your life easier not more difficult.
LIFESTYLE CHOICES
Luke 12:48 reminds us that to whom much is given, much is required.
We are the recipients of TREMENDOUS, DIVINE, KINDNESS, day after day after day after day.... We are asked to just be kind to one another, including ourselves.
So, BE KIND and BE BLESSED!
*You can monitor your food and exercise intake on your smartphone by downloading the following application: http://www.mynetdiary.com/ or you can obtain a hardcopy tracking tool by pasting the following into your browser: www.move.va.gov/download/NewHandouts/Standard/S08_FoodAndPhysicalActivityLog.pdf .
