Kindness and Goodness

-Introduction

-Hebrews 4:12

-We are to hear the word of God, submit to it in obedience, take it to heart and allow it

 to work within us.

            -1 Thess. 2:13 – “…word of God…which is at work in you” (ESV)

            -1 Thess. 1:3 – “…work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope…”

-God’s word is a seed that we are to allow to take root, grow and produce fruit.

            -Luke 8 – the parable of the sower

            -fruit – (Vine’s) – “…the visible expression of power working inwardly and invisibly…”

-The word fruit can represent several things:  works (deeds/words) - Matt. 5:16, Eph. 2:10;

 character - Gal. 5:22-23; converts - John 15:5

            -“’Fruit…’ may not be understood here as meaning exclusively the manifestation of the

             graces and virtues of holy living, although the fruit of the Spirit is definitely said to be

             such things (Gal 5:22).  A larger and more comprehensive meaning is included here,

             namely, that of producing more Christians” (Coffman, John, pg 347).

-For this morning’s lesson, I want us to think about the word “fruit” in regards to the

 character that is to be within us.

            -Gal 5:22-23

            -Within the fruit of the Spirit, you find “kindness” (“gentleness” – KJV) and “goodness.”

            -These are two interesting words that are related to one another, yet distinct as well.

            -We will focus on these two words this morning.

            -As we do, I want you to ask yourself:  “Am I producing those characteristics in my life?”

-Kindness

-Vine’s - “chrestotes - …in the sense of kindness of heart or act, said of God (Rom. 2:4,

 11:22); Eph 2:7…; Titus 3:4…said of believers…2 Cor 6:6, Col 3:12, Gal 5:22…It signifies

 not merely goodness as a quality, rather it is goodness in action, goodness expressing itself

 in deeds…in grace and tenderness and compassion”

-Strong’s – “…more excellence (in character or demeanor):  KJV- gentleness, good(-ness),

 kindness

-The way we view others, interact with others and react to others should be marked by this

 important characteristic.  (Some seem to struggle with this in their reactions to others.)

-We need to have a good, consistently kind disposition.

            -“Religion…sweetens the temper; corrects an irritable disposition; makes the heart kind;

             disposes us to make all around us as happy as possible.  This is true politeness…” (Barnes).

-Have you ever heard somebody make a comment similar to this about another person:  “Oh,

 he/she is the nicest person”?  That’s what this word “kindness” is about.

-We should not be hateful, bitter, rude or short with one another – whether it involves a

 fellow Christian or a stranger.

-This word “kindness” would not support the “Well, I guess I told him” approach or attitude.

-Goodness

-Vine’s – “agathosune…signifies that moral quality which is described by the adjective

 agathos [“describes that which, being ‘good’ in its character or constitution, is beneficial in

 its effect…]…Trench, following Jerome, distinguishes between chrestos [kindness] and

 agathosune [goodness] in that the former describes the kindlier aspects of ‘goodness,’ the

 latter includes also the sterner qualities by which doing ‘good’ to others is not necessarily by

 gentle means.  He illustrates the latter by the act of Christ in cleansing the temple (Matt.

 21:12, 13) and in denouncing the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 23…) but chrestos by His

 dealing with the penitent woman (Luke 7:37-50).  Lightfoot regards chrestos as a kindly

 disposition toward others; agathosune a kindly activity on their behalf.”

-Strong’s – “…virtue or beneficence; KJV – goodness”

-This word carries with it the idea of standing up for good and doing good regardless of

 whether it is convenient or not, easy or not; well received or not.

-Example of parents and children:

            -Of course, as parents we want to be kind to our children.  We want to be compassionate,

             tender, sympathetic and loving.

            -Yet, there are times when parents must draw a line and stand boldly behind it.  There are

             times when parents need to make decisions and take actions that may very well be perceived

             as unkind and unloving by the child(-ren).  There are times when it is necessary for parent

             to be stern. 

                        -Yet, parents do these things for the good of the children.  (see Heb. 12:6-11)

                        -That’s the goodness that we’re talking about with the fruit of the Spirit.

-I have encountered individuals that were hesitant to take a stand for just about anything.

 Why?  They were afraid that they would be perceived as being unkind or too judgmental.

            -So, they would go along with just about anything in order to “keep the peace.”

            -We simply do not have the right to ignore wrong in order to “keep peace”.  We have a

             God-given responsibility to stand for right and strongly and boldly defend it – for our

             own good and the good of others.

-example of a person who argues against the necessity of baptism:  Would we simply go

 along with that person in an attempt to avoid offending the individual?  No.  We would

 defend the truth of God’s word which points out the necessity of baptism (Acts 2:38,

 Gal 3:26-29, Rom 6:3-4, Mark 16:16, etc.).

            -By taking that stand we would be seeking what’s best for the other person.

                        -How many times have parents said to children, “This is for your own good”?

            -That stand should be taken firmly and boldly (and sternly when necessary).  Yet, we

             cannot be unkind and without compassion.

            -Remember, truth can be offensive.  Yet, we should not be offensive in our demeanor.

-Summary and Invitation

-Let’s allow God’s word to work within us and produce proper fruit.  Let’s understand the

 words “kindness” and “goodness” – their relationship and yet their distinction. 

-Let’s seek a balance with these – not doing one to the neglect of the other.

-Let’s always strive to be more as God would have us to be.

-What about you this morning?  Are you trying to be like God wants you to be.  That process

 begins with obedience to the Gospel (belief in Jesus – John 3:16, 8:24; confession of faith –

 Matt. 10:32, Rom 10:9-10; repentance – Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30; baptism into Christ –

 Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38) and continues in faithfulness (Rom. 6:4; Eph 4:22-24; Rev 2:10).

-If you haven’t begun this process or if you have faltered from it, won’t you respond to the

 word of God this morning and begin or renew your efforts?