5th on the List

Galatians 5: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

This is a list of things that are evident in the lives of those who walk by the Spirit, obeying the Lord and his commands, loving Him and loving others.

I love that kindness is among this list of 9.

Many times we want the love, joy, and peace of God to rule in our hearts and lives, but we ignore the other fruit.

Being full of kindness is not easy when we are focused on what WE need from our walk in the Spirit.  We get caught up in life’s demands and we beg for God’s joy to come and fill our empty hearts.  We suffer a loss or become confused about our future and we want and desire God’s peace.  And who doesn’t want God’s love to be shown to us daily?

But when is the last time we prayed and asked God to enable us to exhibit and desire the fruit of kindness?

I’m convinced that if become truly kind toward others, the love, joy and peace of God will rule in our own hearts. 

We want God’s kindness shown to us even when we mess up, even when we fail, and even when we shake our fist at Him because we don’t understand.

And God shows us kindness again and again, so that we too will be kind to others.

Lord, grant us the fruit of kindness.