There are certain inner qualities that can make us more attractive in the eyes of others. My cousin participated in sports in high school, college and semi-pro. He was a very aggressive athlete. He was popular and had many friends. I often wondered why he had so many close friends and wanted that characteristic and to emulate him. It took me years to figure out what it was that made the difference. He was a kind person and we like people who are KIND.

Galatians 5:22 – 23 – “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.”

These are given to Christians who live a Spirit-filled life. These are natures that Christ had and we are to become Christ-like by imitating Christ not men or women. We are told that if we are living a holy life, the Spirit will produce the fruits in you. It is also an indication of one’s salvation. It gives an outward expression of Christ dwelling in the life of a believer. This is why we believe Christians should have a life of love, joy and peace. Yet, so many Christians fail to live with these fruits. Yet, we all have at least one.

Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit that makes a tremendous example to others. Just think how attractive we would be to others if we had each fruit of the Spirit. What is your reaction if someone does something to you that is unkind? Are you critical, wanting to get even or do you want to react like you believe Jesus would? Often time others are watching our reaction to negative situations. How we react could encourage them not to be a friend or to be one. As a store manager, handling an abusive customer complaint, I had to be aware that my employees were watching how I handled it. I have had them say: How were you able to keep your cool with that customer? I was not to get defensive or even, but to let God handle any judgment. My job was to correct the complaint.

Charles Stanley gave the best definition of a kind person that I have heard. A kind person is a giving person, a happy person who is not self-centered. They enjoy pleasing others and they have a pleasant personality. They care about others and enjoy pleasing people. They are gentle and warm hearted, unselfish and generous. They are understanding and considerate. They are thoughtful and merciful and use kind words. They are helpful and courteous and excuse the mistakes of others. They treat everyone equally as they would like to be treated. There will be times when we must be stern or discipline others; it can be done in a kind way. Kindness will make us appeal to others. Wouldn’t you want a friend like that; then be one?

Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” James 1:22 – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

The Bible says: They heard the things He (Jesus) said but they would not do them. How then can you be considered a disciple or a follower? Jesus set an example as to how we were to live and treat others. He gave parables such as: Luke 25 – 37 – A Jew was beaten by robbers and left for dead. A priest and a Levite ignored him. However, a Samaritan was hated by the Jews, but the Jewish man stopped put oil on the wounds and took him to an inn to recuperate. Which one showed him kindness? I believe in eternity, the fruits of the Spirit will be given freely to everyone. Man that was cursed by sin will have the curse removed. Won’t that be worth being a Christian and living with everyone having all the fruits?
Acts 20:35 – “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

We should do things for others without expecting anything in return. To develop friends we must become a friend. If you are making a business dealing with another, would you want it to be a friend rather than someone trying to take advantage of you? Everything we do, we are being watched; sometimes by others, but all the time by God. Don’t you think God wants us to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit now? We can and we must develop the mind of Christ. We can’t do it by living as the world lives. We must do as Christ taught.