Kindness

Guest Blogger: Steve Gagne

Gal  5:22 – "But the fruit of the Spirit is… kindness…"

Whenever I think about kindness, I think about opening a door for someone that is carrying groceries, or smiling at the cashier at the market when she looks like she hates her job, or even helping the guest out at work by digging out some change from my uniform apron so they have exact change for the bill.

These acts are not too far from this word "kindness" that we find here in the Galatians 5. This word in its original written language can also be translated as "goodness" and "usefulness". When I first read the word "usefulness", I paused. Huh… usefulness… that's different! I never considered kindness to be associated with usefulness! Here we get a taste of the practicality of who Jesus is!

This Greek word for Kindness is found a few other times in the New Testament. Specifically in Titus 3:4-5

"But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, buy the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Sprit,"

Jesus is the embodiment of God's kindness and love! His love for us, and the plan to make a way for us to be with Him, was lived in out in the life of Jesus! Being good and useful at the same time is what makes up kindness – which embodies the work that was done on the cross by our Savior Jesus Christ.

The "usefulness" of our lives is best demonstrated when others see Jesus in us and because of us! After all, isn't that the reason why we even have life? Not that we may get any recognition, but that the Father be honored and glorified! You might say, "But I'm tired of feeling used!" The beauty of being used by the Father, as opposed to some person that you need to get away from, is that He is our purpose, the giver of our strength, our very breath! The more you are poured out as a cold drink to those who thirst, the more He pours back in!

Am I useful to those around me?
Does my attitude reflect a desire to be useful, that they may see Christ? Or do I simply do for the sake of doing, that I may work my way to the Father?

To be good and useful, motivated by the love of the Father… now that's some tasty fruit!

Enjoying feeling used,

Comments

[Margie]

I've never thought about it that way... isn't it amazing how when we dig to the root of the words, what blossoms out of it!

[whit]

i like what you said in your question, "does my attitude reflect a DESIRE TO BE USEFUL." Most of us will gladly do something to help a friend or even a stranger out. But how often do I put myself in a position to be asked, or choose to be useful without being asked? hmm...

[Erin]

interesting connection - i'm going to see how well i can apply that here at work today. how useful can i be?

[Kari]

when His kindness and love for man appeared, he saved us.
what a verse!
he saved us...for our sake. so we could be used, the way he created us to be used, and quit being used by the world.
this whole kindness=usefulness thought is provoking.
thanks Steve.
"After all, isn't that the reason why we even have life?"
so good.

[Pants]

I wanna be useful!!!!!