In our world today, many concepts and ideologies are more subjective than objective, meaning that a lot of people’s perspectives on a subject are more likely to be based on their feelings or preferences rather than being unbiased. But as believers, we don’t attribute our ideologies or principles to our experiences but to the word of God. We take the Bible to be our final authority and where we draw our bases from. Now hold on to this as we examine this devotional.

Think back to a time when you might have asked for help in a certain situation from someone and they didn’t, not because they couldn’t. Later on, if that same person comes up to you to ask for the same help you once required and you’re capable to render assistance, what will you do? Some might see this as an opportunity for payback but instead, it is an opportunity to show forth the fruit you bear.

‭‭Galatians 5:22

New King James V‬‬ersion

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Kindness and goodness aren’t based on how others have treated or will treat you, but on the Spirit that you carry on your inside. One thing about the fruit of the Spirit is that they’re most pronounced in contradicting situations. Take for example, peace; it isn’t in the absence of troubles that you truly see peace in display but in a storm. Or joy; it is seen best in situations tailored to keep you away from it. The same applies to kindness and goodness.

All the lights on your radar might be telling you to be mean or as said in Nigerian parlance to “show them pepper”, but that is when the fruit must shine through even more.

Another thing is that we aren’t called to do something that has never been done before. We have an example in God. Some of the characteristics attributed to and associated with God are kindness and goodness.

Psalms 145:9

New King James Version

‬‬9 The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.

‭‭Isaiah 54:8

New King James Version

8 With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,” Says the Lord, your Redeemer.

God is good! And He is kind! And as children of God, people born of His Spirit, we are empowered to be good and kind. It is our nature!

‭‭Ephesians 4:32

New King James Version

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Remember where we started from, the Bible is our ultimate authority and we have instructions in scripture to be kind. So in every aspect of your life, to everybody, you’re to be kind. In the same sentence, Apostle Paul speaks about forgiving just as God in Christ forgave us. God forgiving us of our sins through scriptures also has to do with His kindness and goodness.

‭‭Romans 2:4

New King James Version

‬‬4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

‭‭Ephesians 2:6-7

New King James Version

‬‬6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

‭‭Titus 3:4-5

New Living T‬‬ranslation

4 But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,

5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

Even at the very core of our faith, salvation, we can see God’s goodness and kindness through it. In Him giving Christ to die for our sins, in Him providing His Spirit to us, in His forgiveness of our sins, the Bible attributes it to kindness and goodness as well. This is why Apostle Paul can charge us to be kind to all and to forgive.

In your daily life, kindness must permeate through. To everyone you meet and encounter, goodness must be visible. It is a fruit of your born-again Spirit, an instruction to you, not just to your family, not just to those good to you but to everyone: both those that hate you and those that don’t.

Luke 6:35

New King James Version

‬‬35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

‭‭Galatians 6:9-10

New King James V‬‬ersion

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

This is our life. In every circumstance, in every opportunity, be kind and good.

Prayer Point:

Lord, I’m able to follow Your example and instructions to be good to everyone and at every time. I am empowered to show kindness and goodness by your Spirit, even when it might not be deserved.