Kindness is the second of the three fruits most directly associated with personal, human relationships. It implies a more active expression of love toward God and fellow man, distinct from patience, which is love forbearing. Without kindness, no act is truly done in love, as both qualities are bound together in the essence of love. Kindness is a rare quality today, often noteworthy when displayed, and can positively impress even those who provoke us through acts that reveal patient love. The love described by Paul, which is the love of God, found its perfect expression in Jesus Christ, whose outgoing love manifested in acts of kindness, healing, and casting out demons. Kindness often requires no money, only the sacrifice of time and energy, and the discipline to be thoughtful of others' needs. Simple acts like smiling, visiting, offering encouragement, or showing friendliness through a warm handshake exemplify this virtue. God's kindness to His creation is unending and overflowing, graciously giving unearned gifts despite humanity's sins and neglect of His purpose. He does not return evil for evil, bear grudges, or plot revenge, but freely gives even to evildoers while patiently working toward His purpose. His kindness is evident in His provision for Israel despite their provocations, providing abundantly for them over centuries. His ultimate act of kindness is the gift of a blessing by which all sins can be met and paid, setting a clear standard for us to follow in our lives. David's heart, beloved by God, exemplified kindness in his desire to do good to Saul's house despite past persecutions. His spontaneous and self-motivated act to show the kindness of God elevated his motive to a higher plane. Within the fellowship of a local congregation, kindness can be challenging due to character weaknesses and personality flaws, yet God calls us to strengthen the weak, open our hearts, and generously give comfort, hope, and encouragement. We are urged to be kinder in evaluating others, to refrain from believing or spreading derogatory stories, and to deal with brethren in the gentlest, kindest manner possible, doing good to all men as opportunities arise. God's nature is to give mercy, create beauty, and save, delighting in mercy with intensity and readiness of mind. He visited us, entering our life on our level, assuming our nature, and bearing our infirmities to be a merciful High Priest, continuously showing kindness through countless acts. As His Spirit dwells in us, this nature grows within us, enabling us to work out our salvation and conform to His image despite our provocations and rebellions. We are urged to put on kindness, tender mercies, and forgiveness, acting with affection and letting our tender feelings guide us to help those in distress, just as Christ did. Though the world has hardened us, kindness is something we must develop, enabled by God's Spirit, and it remains a sweet fruit that fosters unity, backed by His promise that His kindness shall not depart from us.

True kindness is a gift from God, produced in us by the Holy Spirit. The world perceives kindness on a limited plane, but kind words and actions reflect a deeper goodness of heart. Kindness, as seen in the behavior of God the Father and Jesus Christ toward mankind, sets the pattern for all to follow. God gives sunshine, rain, fruitful seasons, glad hearts, and all that is good to both the just and the unjust. His marvelous kindness is great and abundant, showing mercy with everlasting kindness to those who obey Him. Through the life, sacrifice, and intercession of Jesus Christ, God reveals the exceeding wealth of His grace in kindness toward us. Kindness is love in tender action, a quality of goodness that requires gentleness in word and deed. It encompasses benevolence, generosity, mercy, charity, sympathy, compassion, and tenderheartedness. As a major attribute of moral excellence, kindness is intricately entwined with other spiritual fruits. In human relationships, we desire kindness from others, often in the form of self-sacrifice, and it begins with the kind use of the tongue. A virtuous woman speaks with kindness, and we are called to be kind to one another, adding brotherly kindness to the godly virtues God develops in us. Christian kindness is expressed through mercy, compassion, and love toward others, as well as zealous affection toward God and His church. It is an action, not merely a thought, requiring us to sow and reap through deeds. Though great acts of kindness may be rare, scarcely an hour passes without the chance to perform minor, unnoticed words or acts of kindness. Living according to God's instruction and following the example of Christ, aided by the Holy Spirit, we produce the wonderful, spiritual fruit of kindness.

Kindness, as an abstract and often unquantifiable virtue, varies across cultures and societies, yet it remains a profound expression of human character. In many instances, kindness manifests as random acts of help, whether big or small, with a modern expectation to pay it forward rather than repay directly. For some, kindness is a way of life, a natural disposition to be pleasant and good to everyone encountered daily. Historically, nations like America have been seen as kind and generous, often being among the first to provide aid during global disasters, donating vast resources and helping rebuild even former enemies after conflicts. The Old Testament concept of kindness, conveyed through the Hebrew word hesed, is deeply rooted in community and covenant. Hesed emerges within the context of God's covenant with Israel, producing kindness among those who follow its teachings. True kindness, however, transcends mere obligation; it involves good and helpful actions that go beyond what the covenant requires, adding a value beyond the letter of the law. In the book of Ruth, this value-added kindness is exemplified. Ruth's actions toward Naomi demonstrate hesed by maintaining a covenantal relationship despite the marriage bond being voided by death, sacrificing personal advantages, and showing magnanimity. Ruth's commitment to Naomi, vowing to stay with her and adopt her people and God, reflects a self-sacrificial love that exceeds normal expectations. Her later kindness to Boaz, extending her loyalty to a near stranger, further amplifies this hesed, encompassing a broader purpose. Similarly, David's kindness to Mephibosheth illustrates hesed as an act of outgoing concern despite potential danger or disadvantage. By extending God's kindness to a potential rival, David shows faith in God, trusting in divine protection over personal risk. This self-sacrificial act mirrors the New Testament concept of agape, where love and kindness are offered without expectation of personal gain, only seeking to please God. Jesus Christ Himself exemplifies this ultimate kindness in His life and sacrifice, offering Himself for humanity as a sweet-smelling aroma to God. His teachings, such as forgiving a repentant sinner seven times a day, challenge followers to go beyond strict requirements, showing lovingkindness even to the most aggravating individuals. This call to exceed customary obligations aligns with the Old Testament hesed, emphasizing a magnanimous and sacrificial willingness to be there for others. The call to kindness is a divine requirement, as seen in Micah 6:8, where God instructs humanity to do justly, love mercy—understood as hesed—and walk humbly with Him. This defines what is good for individuals, communities, and the world. If a young woman from Moab like Ruth, with little prior training in God's way, can embody such kindness, so too can others follow her example, expressing true hesed and agape toward God and man through faith and humility.

Kindness, as a fruit of God's Spirit, is a foundational daily sacrifice that we must actively work to put on each and every day. It is the feeling of compassion in action, encompassing right thoughts, words, gestures, and deeds, reciprocating God's sacrificial love outwardly to others. Kindness requires effort and can only be truly developed when we are bonded through humble daily sacrifice and obedience with God, enabling us through His indwelling Spirit to perform acts of service to fellow man. God's Spirit of kindness controls our mind to think positively of others, always seeking opportunities to serve and do good works. It bridles our tongue, preventing complaints and negative speech about anyone, as complaining is unkind, self-focused, and contrary to God's nature. Kindness readily gives to anyone in need without keeping score or worrying about past interactions, forbearing, forgiving, and accepting loss of self-esteem to maintain peace. True kindness arises from spiritual transformation and submission to God, especially in challenging situations, and is not optional for God's called. It is a necessary response to the forgiveness and compassion we have received from Him. God's fruit of kindness is given to everyone, both to those who deserve it and to those who do not, reflecting His character of being kind to the unthankful and the evil. Only those with God's indwelling Spirit, through daily sacrifices, are empowered to perform kindness without expectation of return or keeping score, responding to His unmerited sacrifice with our own acts of kindness. When we understand the fullness of God's great mercy and kindness, we are empowered by His Holy Spirit to exhibit this humble sacrifice to everyone, regardless of merit. Kindness is an outward attribute showing we are like God, enabled through His Holy Spirit, and not a magical occurrence but a deliberate act of sacrifice. Each act of kindness, given without expectation, transforms our selfish carnal mind into a selfless, godly mind, producing God's fruit of the Spirit. Many acts of kindness do not require much time or effort, yet they are especially sweet to those in desperate need, fostering unity and peace with God and fellow man. As God's elect, we are called to be a shining light to the world, working harder to exhibit His fruit of kindness through simple gestures like a friendly greeting, encouraging words, or small acts of consideration. Each day, we have the opportunity to follow Christ's example as a living sacrifice, extending His kindness to others, regardless of what may be deserved, by developing a heart attuned to others' needs and being ready to reach out when the opportunity arises.

The world today operates under the influence of greed, hatred, and self-seeking, driven by the way of get rather than love. Yet, what the world truly needs is a love that brings peace, harmony, joy, happiness, fulfillment, purpose, and brotherly care to all mankind. We are called to embody and reflect this true love in our interactions with each other and those around us, becoming the salt of the earth and the light of the world, imitating the nature of the One who invited us into His Family. God's love, defined as agape, is a willful direction toward mankind, involving doing what He knows is best for us, not merely what we desire. This love is an outgoing concern for others, characterized by benevolence, kindness, sympathy, and generosity. God's purpose is to elevate mankind, enabling us to participate in His Kingdom through a vast, philanthropic plan. In contrast, man's concept of love often centers on deep devotion, affection, or passion, falling short of the profound nature of God's love. Love originates from God, reflecting His Spirit in us. As we exhibit this love, we take on the nature of our Father. Those who reflect God's love demonstrate that they are born of Him, while those who do not, fail to truly know Him. God's love for us is evident in the world He has provided, the patience He shows, and most convincingly, in sending His Son as a sacrifice for our reconciliation and opportunity to live by following His life. Even when we were ignorant or opposed to His way, He loved us and sought the best for us. We perceive God's love through His act of laying down His life for us, and in like manner, we are called to lay down our lives for our brethren. By loving others as God loves us, within and beyond our community, we perfect His love in us, growing in its application toward others. This active love, seen in early Christians who risked their lives for one another, identifies us as disciples of Christ. As we serve and love others, our love is made complete, aligning us with His nature and granting us boldness before Him. Perfect love casts out fear, and though we may face apprehensions in this world, we must work to perfect our love, faith, and trust in God, knowing He will help us. We love Him because He first loved us, and this love is not ours but God's love in us. We are to love our fellow man with the same love the Father shows us. If we harbor hatred toward others, we lack God's love. Our calling as disciples of Christ is to become like Him, reflecting His patience, kindness, longsuffering, wisdom, courage, thoughtfulness, concern, and willingness to serve, thereby embodying the true love of God. In the end times, as lawlessness abounds, the love of many will grow cold due to cruelty, persecution, betrayal, and false teachings. Amidst a crumbling world and pressures within our fellowship, we must guard against losing the zeal of our first love. We are urged to rekindle the flame of excitement and not let our commitment slip, ensuring we apply what we know in our pursuit of perfection. The greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, devoting every faculty to His service, submitting to His will, and glorifying Him in all we do. The first four commandments show direct love to God by prioritizing Him above all, avoiding idols, honoring His name in our actions, and keeping the Sabbath as holy time for spiritual refreshment and encouragement. The second great commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves, extending this love to anyone near us—family, friends, countrymen, and even enemies. We show this love by not harming our neighbor in body, property, or reputation, by seeking their good, and by being tender and kind, even when their actions do not warrant it, without condoning sin. Attaining God's nature and love requires keeping His commandments through active faith, trust, and obedience, drawing close to Him in prayer, fasting, and study. True love for God, who has