Devotion

When examining the nine fruit of the Holy Spirit cited in Galatians 5:22-23, kindness and gentleness may receive the least amount of study and discussion. Myriads of books, songs and sermons have been produced on God’s love, goodness and faithfulness. When listening to a Christian share their testimony, it is likely they will reference how they have grown in their patience and self-control as they have been sanctified. As we go through the trials and hardships of this life, our Godly peers will surely exhort us to have joy in the midst of our difficult circumstances. Upon coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ, a Believer is likely to be overwhelmed with the peace they now enjoy in their soul as a realization of their eternal peace with God. There appears to be no shortage of discussion on any of these aforementioned Christian virtues. Yet, look for resources or discussions on kindness or gentleness in Christian circles, and prepare to see a significantly reduced supply of material. Such an absence of attention devoted to celebrating these marks of Godliness is disheartening. In 2020, perhaps the most desired and most needed virtues in our world today are kindness and gentleness. As the saying goes, whether inside or outside of the church, “a little kindness (or gentleness) goes a long way!”

Kindness and gentleness are inextricably linked together, as if they were two sides of the same coin. As with all of the fruit of the Spirit, kindness and gentleness are perfectly demonstrated by the One who enables Believers to manifest these virtues in the first place: God Himself. The triune God manifests kindness to all of His created order in two primary ways. First, God demonstrates His kindness through common grace. This is not to say that there’s anything “common” about the extravagant grace that God displays to His creatures on a daily basis. When speaking of God’s “common grace,” theologians are referring to God’s gracious preservation of His creation and His provision for meeting the basic needs of His creatures; even His own enemies (Job 12:7-10)! God “causes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). In fact, there are often times when unbelievers receive more temporal blessings in this life than the people of God (Jeremiah 12:1-17). This does not indicate God’s favor residing on those who abide under His wrath, but rather, demonstrates that God has a genuine good will towards all of His creatures (1 Timothy 4:10). Whether a citizen of God’s kingdom or a hell-bound rebel, the Lord gives and takes away as He sees fit to do so, perfectly accomplishing His eternal purposes at every moment of redemptive history (Job 1:21).

Even so, it is the unfathomable kindness of God that is intended to lead sinners to repentance and loving devotion to Him (Romans 2:4). This aspect of God’s dealings with His creatures refers to the second way in which God exhibits His kindness: through special grace. When speaking of God’s “special grace,” theologians are citing the way in which God sovereignly chooses to save those He has loved from eternity past (1 John 4:19). The ultimate example of God’s kindness, being inseparably bound together with His love, was evidenced by Him sending His own Son to redeem those who had willfully turned their back on Him (1 John 4:10). When reflecting on the unsearchable kindness of God to save sinners from His wrath, despite their incessant transgressing of His holy law, one can’t help but likewise marvel at how gentle God is with His image bearers (Titus 3:3-8). Sin is such an offense to God’s character, that just committing one act of iniquity is grounds for eternal judgment (Genesis 2:16-17). As Jonathan Edwards rightly noted in his sermon, The Justice of God in the Damnation of Sinners,

“God is a being infinitely lovely, because he hath infinite excellency and beauty. To have infinite excellency and beauty, is the same thing as to have infinite loveliness. He is a being of infinite greatness, majesty, and glory; and therefore he is infinitely honourable. He is infinitely exalted above the greatest potentates of the earth, and the highest angels in heaven; and therefore he is infinitely more honourable than they. His authority over us is infinite; and the ground of his right to our obedience is infinitely strong; for he is infinitely worthy to be obeyed himself, and we have an absolute, universal, and infinite dependence upon him. So that sin against God, being a violation of infinite obligations, must be a crime infinitely heinous, and so deserving of infinite punishment [in eternal Hell].”

God’s gentleness towards His people shines forth in unparalleled excellency when one comes to understand the weightiness of our sin and the consequences that our sin deserves (James 2:10). Despite our sin, before and after coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ, God “like a shepherd, will tend His flock, in His arms He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes” (Isaiah 40:11). The kindness and gentleness of God should propel Christians into worship and should be at the top of their list of praises rendered to the Most High (Psalm 107:31). By God’s grace, He also empowers Believers to reflect these wonderful attributes through the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit within them (Philippians 2:12-13). In his commentary on Galatians, R. Alan Cole notes that kindness and gentleness are fruit of the Spirit that have an emphasis on restraint and humility.[1] In the first century, they were dispositions that characterized the ideal servant.[2] It’s only fitting that the greatest servant who ever lived, the Lord Jesus Christ, was marked by these precious qualities throughout the duration of His earthly ministry (Matthew 11:25-30).

When considered from man’s interactions with one another, kindness is expressed as a tender, Christlike concern for others that actively seeks out ways to serve them.[3] On the other hand, gentleness is portrayed through prioritizing a consideration for the needs of other people over that of oneself.[4] Especially when wronged by another, kindness and gentleness are traits produced by the Holy Spirit, that can powerfully illustrate how God treats us when we sin against Him. Christians are exhorted in several places throughout the New Testament to be kind and gentle to one another (Colossians 3:12-13). When visible in the life of a Believer, each of these fruit of the Spirit offers the world a glimpse into the nature and character of God (Ephesians 4:1-3). Are these qualities present in your life today?

Weekly Passages For Meditation:

Monday- 2 Timothy 2:19-26

19 The firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” 20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Tuesday- Colossians 3:12-17

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Wednesday- Galatians 6:1-5

6 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. 5 For each one will bear his own load.

Thursday- 1 Timothy 6:11-16

11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Friday- Ephesians 4:29-32

29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Saturday- Colossians 4:2-6

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

[1]           R. Alan Cole, Galatians: An Introduction and Commentary, Nottingham: Inter-Varsity Press, 2008, Page 221.

[2]           R. Alan Cole, Galatians: An Introduction and Commentary, Nottingham: Inter-Varsity Press, 2008, Page 221.

[3]           John MacArthur, Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth, Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017, Page 375.

[4]           John MacArthur, Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth, Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017, Page 375.