Summer Fruit, Week 5: Kindness

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. John 15:5 (NIV) It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants… Galatians 5:19-21 (MSG) …a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. Galatians 5:19-21 (MSG) I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom. Galatians 5:19-21 (MSG) In our world we don't have a BEHAVIOR problem… we have a HEART problem.  But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.  Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT) Message Title:  "The Filter of Kindness" Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 (NIV) Our Attitude Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12-17(NIV) Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-17(NIV) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… And be thankful…  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another… Colossians 3:12-17(NIV) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17(NIV) "Your problem is now your problem.  Your problem is the way you are acting because of your problem." -  Joyce Meyer Doing what you don't feel like doing is how you build Godly Character in your life. Our Interactions A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit.  So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 7:18-20 (NLT) Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Matthew 7:18-20 (NLT) God never intended for His characteristics in your life to be contingent on how people treat you… but for how you treat people to be contingent on His characteristics in your life. You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:1-4 (NIV) Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.  So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Romans 2:1-4 (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? Romans 2:1-4 (NIV) God never asks something from us that he does not first demonstrate to us.   Our Influence Kindness is a SPIRITUAL tool, that creates HUMAN productivity. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 (NIV) You can disagree with someone... And still be kind to them. Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.  Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other… Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.  Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.  Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all! Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.  Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the Lord. Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) Instead, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads." Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) Could it be that the influence you want to see, is just behind the Kindness you need to show? Because we LOVE unconditionally, have the inner strength of JOY and PEACE, and we choose to exercise our PATIENCE… we can in every situation be KIND to the world around us. Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)