Kindness and Goodness

Ephesians 6:11-12 NIV

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The people of God should be culturally separate but not culturally silent. The people of God should be culturally significant.

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Kindness without goodness is just niceness.

Goodness without acts of kindness is stagnant.

Kindness & Goodness: Useful & Upright

Proverbs 11:17 NIV

Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

Proverbs 21:21 NIV

Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor.

God made you to enjoy displaying His image through kindness.

When the people of God are present in an upright and useful way: 

I. Evil is overcome.

Romans 12:21 NIV

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

When the people of God are present in an upright and useful way: 

I. Evil is overcome.

II. Repentance is found.

Romans 2:4 NIV

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?

Exodus 34:6 NIV

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness

Our neighbors should know God’s undeserved kindness because we are undeservingly kind toward them.

Unchurched Perceptions of Christians:

Anti-homosexual (91%)

Judgmental (87%)

Hypocritical (85%)

Repentance: feeling or expression of sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin

Galatians 6:9 NIV

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.