Kindness

Can you believe that it is February already!!! Well, not today, but . . . but soon! Yikes!

The new virtue for this month is Kindness- showing others they are valuable by how you treat them. Who couldn’t use a little more kindness both in our action toward others as well as being treated kinder.

Galatians 5:22-23 -Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit – so as we grow in our relationship with Jesus and we allow him to transform us from the inside out, we will become more like Jesus – and yes, become kinder. The interesting thing I find about the Fruit of the Spirit is that we can often fake the Fruit for a period of time, but after a while our true selves come shining or blasting out. I suppose a good test in knowing if you are faking or growing is to check your motive and reflect on your history.

Why do you want to act the way that reflects the Fruit? If your reasons include, "it is nicer" or "people would like me better" or "I know I am wrong in how I act," than you are right, but your motive doesn't line up with Jesus. However, if your reason is more like, "I want to be more like Jesus" or"I want to honor God" than your moving in the right direction. If you fall in the first category keep probing your heart - why do you what people to like you better? Why do you want to be nicer? Why do you feel that you act wrong? If your true desire is to please and serve God rather people, than your wording could be off, but you motives still true. But, if you are more concerned with what others think, than you are faking. Those mere mortals won't save your soul! Only Jesus!!

The second way to tell if your behavior is a result of faking or the Fruit is to reflect on your history. Over time, do you feel as if you consistently have been kind, or patient, or gentle, shown self control, etc. Does it come more and more natural? or is it still forced? There isn't a magic formula to spiritual growth, yet when we continue to seek the Lord in all that we do, we grow. When we spend time with Him, we grow. When we spend more time caring about others, we grow.

So, my question to you is this, are you growing in your relationship with Jesus or have you gotten comfortable or lazy? It is a lifelong process and others will know who we follow by the Fruit of your actions.