By Yasmin Marquez Villar
“ 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5 : 22 – 23 (NIV)
From the verse above, you might imagine these nine virtues as different fruits, like apples, oranges or pears. Notice however, that the verse is written as “But the fruit of the Spirit is…” not “But the fruits of the Spirit are…” These nine virtues are all part of one nature. They are like the edible flesh of an orange divided evenly into segments or carpels, not like individual globes in a cluster of grapes.
Knowing this is important and encouraging. Its important because it shows us that the Spirit of God who is in us enables us to exhibit not just one or a few, but ALL the fruit of the Spirit. Amazing!
Looking at kindness and goodness, we see that Webster defines kindness as the quality, state or habit of being sympathetic, gentle, benevolent, etc. while goodness is about being virtuous, devout, kind, dutiful, etc. The use of “etc” in both definitions is significant. It implies that where kindness and goodness exist, they are together with other virtues. One cannot be kind without being gentle or loving and good, and in the same way one cannot be good without being kind.
In Ephesians 5 : 8b – 9, we are commanded to “Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).” We live as children of light when we exhibit kindness and goodness not just towards those who are likeable, and definitely not just when we feel like it. We set ourselves apart when we live out these virtues consistently – Like when dealing with difficult people or when faced with trying circumstances. It may be the child who constantly wants attention or that friend who keeps calling for advice when you’re trying to meet a deadline or when you find yourself stuck in traffic for hours or the husband who snores when you’re in need of a good night’s rest. In spite of, and in the midst of all this, how you choose to react reveals the kind of person you really are.
Matthew 7 : 16a & 17 say “By their fruit you will recognize them… Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” If you say that you are a child of God, kindness and goodness will be evident in your life. They’ll be clearly evident when you choose not to talk condescendingly to someone who makes a mistake, when you give someone the benefit of the doubt, or when you show restraint when disrespected. Kindness and goodness are not about condoning what is wrong, or allowing people to trample and step all over you. They’re about disagreeing without being disagreeable, persevering when treated unjustly, and choosing to forgive when wronged. They are at their best when we are proactive, looking after others’ well-being without expecting anything in return, like in caring for the sick, the weak or the poor.
Constantly living out kindness and goodness may seem a daunting, impossible task. However, in John 15 : 5 Jesus reminds us that “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Thankfully, our kindness and goodness are dependent on JESUS and what He can do through us, not our own ability. Will you allow Jesus to enable you to exhibit Christ-like kindness and goodness? Ask Him how He wants you to live out these virtues today.
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