Kindness

Class notes from John VanTongeren's KINDNESS lesson.

Sanctification is a spiritual journey. The Westminster Catechism defines sanctification as "the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God and are enabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness." In Galatians 5:16, Paul says, "walk by the spirit." This walk has a sense of continuing on, not a one-time thing.   e verb "led" in verse 18, and the two verbs "live" and "keep in step" also have this ongoing nature.

As we continue discussing the fruit of the Spirit, we need to remember that the goal of fruitfulness is to grow in our devotion to God and in our likeness of Him in our character and conduct. It is not a one-time act.

The evidence of God's work is the inevitable fruit of transformed behavior (John 3:10 and James 2:14-17).

Kindness is an inner disposition created by the Holy Spirit that causes us to be sensitive to the needs of others. It is expressed as a tender, gentle concern for others that actively seeks ways to serve them.

Kindness is a superpower. He comes from God, who has the power to change someone's world for the better.

At the same time, we are commanded to be kind (Romans 11:22; James, 1 Peter 2:3; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12)

Some KINDNESS questions to consider:

• Why should you be kind to the ungrateful?
• How has God been kind to you?
• If kindness is a virtue or character trait of God given to all believers at the time of salvation, why are there non-believers who are kind?
• What is the difference between being nice and being kind?

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Additional Notes from The Faithful Life

"Apart from God's grace, most of us naturally tend to be consumed by our responsibilities, problems, and plans. B t the person who has grown in the grace of kindness has expanded his thinking outside of himself and his interests and has developed a genuine interest in the happiness and well-being of those around him."  

"The Bible goes out of its way to portray the kindness of God in stark contrast to man's total undeservedness."

Luke 6:35

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Romans 2:3 - 4

So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?  Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Ephesians 2:6 - 7

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.