ICS Daily Devotions
Reciprocate God’s Kindness

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

It is easy to forget to be kind in the cut-throat world that we live in, but we are able to love and be kind because Christ first loved us and has shown kindness towards us.

1 Corinthians 13:4a (NKJV) Love suffers long and is kind;

In the original Greek version, the word kindness (“chrestotes”) in the opening Scripture means a gracious attitude, benevolence in action, kindliness which disposes one to do good, a goodness in action and expressed in deed. It delights in contributing to the happiness of others.

2 Samuel 9:7 (NKJV) So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”

David is a type of Christ in the Old Testament and he understood what it means to honour the covenant commitment. David did not kill all the descendants of the previous king after the death of King Saul and his son, Jonathan in order to protect himself. Instead, he sought to show kindness towards the household of Jonathan because of his covenant agreement with Jonathan by sending people to look for Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth in Lo Debar. He restored the land that belonged to King Saul and offered Mephibosheth to eat at the king’s table. It was purely kindness and the extending grace or unmerited favour to Mephibosheth. This is a good biblical example of kindness.

Likewise, God sent forth His son to save us when we were dead in our sins and trespasses. We were not worthy to be even looked upon by a holy, just and righteous God. Nevertheless, God showed forth His kindness to us when He came in search for sinners who were lost. Just like Mephibosheth in Lo Debar, we were living in hopelessness without God, but God restored to us a position where we are called His children so we can be seated with Christ in the heavenly places. It was God’s kindness towards sinners.

Therefore, we should likewise show forth kindness to the people around us. As a start, we can work at being kind to our spouse and family members by going the extra mile to make them feel loved, cherished and accepted unconditionally. We can also show kindness to those in the household of believers. What kind of kindness can you show to those whom you work with daily, and how can you show kindness to the people who are in need and suffering in the wider community?

Sermon Series: Fruit of the Holy Spirit – Patience, Kindness, Goodness and Gentleness