Wednesday: Kindness, Goodness and Faithfulness
Read 1 Corinthians 13:4. Why does genuine kindness have such positive appeal to other people? Where do you see God’s kindness in His dealings with humanity?
Image © Bjorn Thorkelson from GoodSalt.com
“Kindness” is the word frequently used in describing God’s dealings with His people. Kindness also describes our dealings with others in their failures. God could be quite harsh in dealing with our faults. Yet, He treats us as a loving father would treat a learning child (Hos. 11:1-4). Perhaps nothing discredits our Christian testimony and ministry more frequently than unkindness. It does not cost money to be kind, but it can open the door to the heart of a person. No matter how firm we must be in reproof, we need not become unkind in our dealings with others, whatever their faults and issues. To reprove in kindness is perhaps the greatest sign of nobility of character.
Read Ephesians 5:9. What accompanies goodness in this passage?
Goodness is love in action. The goodness that grows as the fruit of the Spirit also includes works and acts of goodness. It is goodness shown to others in practical works of love. When the Holy Spirit lives in us, there will be a positive outflow of goodness to the people with whom we come in contact.
Read Galatians 5:22. Why is it important to be trustworthy and faithful in our Christian walk with God?
What is in view here is the faithfulness of character and conduct brought forth through the Holy Spirit. Faithfulness means trustworthiness or being reliable. Those who are faithful do what they promise to do. Faithfulness is also a characteristic of Jesus Christ, who is called “the faithful witness” (Rev. 1:5, NASB), and of God the Father, who keeps His promises and is faithful in what He does (1 Cor. 1:9, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Thess. 5:24, 2 Thess. 3:3). In our faithfulness, we reflect the image of God in our lives. “It is not the great results we attain, but the motives from which we act, that weigh with God. He prizes goodness and faithfulness more than the greatness of the work accomplished.” – Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 510, 511.
(33)
Luke 18:8 '...When the son of man comes shall he find faith on earth..'Matthew 24:12 ''..the love of many shall wax cold..'1 Tim 3:3 it is said in the last days men shall be 'without love, unforgiving..'
It is sad that it is in these perilous times that faith, love, kindness and goodness shall almost cease among many. When our characters are slowly becoming like that of the world, the influence of the Spirit going unheeded, it should worry us as Christians when clearly Jesus foretold us many a time about it. My prayer is '
Lest after all these warning and Gods providence l be found wanting, God is able to restore a weakening spirit, only if we truly yield to his divine will
I need more of that real faith. I need more of Jesus' love. That's my prayer for today! And may the results of it be fruitful!
We see here that the greatest manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives is faithfulness. To invite Him in is to be faithful. The greatest display of Godliness was Jesus faithfulness come what may. Do what is right, because it is right and leave the consequences in the hands of God.
Galatians 5:22. Why is it important to be trustworthy and faithful in our Christian walk with God?
For me, I think many of us have faith in God/Jesus, repented, looking at God/Jesus but instead of walking (in faith) with God, we are walking backwards (through our choices).
In 2 Timothy 3:5, the apostle Paul describes people who “will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly” (NLT).
Let me give an illustration.
In front of me is God/Jesus, heaven. Behind me is the Holy Spirit and behind the Holy Spirit is the worldly desires (lust). I have faith but am not taking that "step of faith" (action). Therefore, the Holy Spirit is waiting for my (our) choice which tends to be looking over the shoulders of the Holy Spirit and focussing on the worldly desires and so I continue to walk backwards away from God, struggling with my (our) spiritual walk.
The condition to abide in Christ (the vine) is very important. God bless!
I pray that God awakens His Spirit in Us.