Releasing God's Best: Kindness & Goodness
Galatians 5:22-25; Colossians 3:12-13
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Chrēstotēs=Kindness
- Uprightness in one’s relations with others
- Uprightness
- The quality of being helpful or beneficial, goodness, kindness, generosity ‘readily generous in disposition’;
Agathōsynē=Goodness
- “Goodness” is a rare word found only four times in the New Testament (and only in Paul)
- It conveys the idea of benevolence and generosity toward someone else
- Going the second mile when such generosity isn’t required
How are they connected?
- One is an attitude: kindness
- One is an action: goodness
- They’re both risky
How are the fruits of the spirit released?
- Prayer
- Building our relationship with Christ
- Recognizing and remembering that these fruits are within us….always…..even when we don’t want to release them
TODAY'S PREACHER
Debbie Reese is Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC