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.

The Sermon on the Mount ( Matthew 5-7 ) contains Jesus' instruction primarily to His disciples, outlining seven unified character traits- the Beatitudes defining the "children of light." These are not optional attitudes but a complete picture of Christlike character that God is forming in His people. These seven traits are: 1 Poor in spirit- genuine humility that opens the way to repentance and God's grace. 2Those who mourn- sorrow over sin and evil, not merely personal lost. 3Meekness- gentle strength expressed through kindness and self-control. 4Hunger and thirst for righteousness- a deep desire to obey God personally to see righteousness rule the world 5 Mercy- compassion in action, reflecting God's own merciful nature. 6.Purity of heart- single-minded devotion to God, modeled by Christ's servant-hearted humility. 7. Peacemaking- actively pursuing peace in relationships through godly character. Together, these traits mirror the very character of Jesus Christ, marking those destined to the Kingdom of God. Possessing then inevitably leads to persecution because such lives shine as light in a dark world. Therefore, Jesus calls His disciples the salt of the earth and the light of the world, warning that failing to live out these traits makes one spiritually ineffective . Paul's exhortation to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" reminds believers that God is actively working in them . The Beatitudes describe not multiple choices, but a complete perfected character- the life of those called to reflect Christ, glorifying Almighty God, shining as lights in a corrupt Satanic world.

God's love is the true essence of what the world desperately needs, a love that brings peace, harmony, joy, happiness, fulfillment, purpose, and brotherly unity to all mankind. This love, defined as agape, reflects God's willful direction toward humanity, involving His desire to do what is best for us, even when it differs from our own desires. As John 3:16 reveals, God so loved the world that He gave His Son as a sacrifice, not to fulfill human wants, but to meet our deepest needs, offering justification through repentance and access to His Father. God's love is characterized by benevolence, a disposition to do good, marked by kindness, sympathy, and generosity in individual dealings, while His overarching plan is philanthropic on the grandest scale, aiming to elevate mankind to participate in the Kingdom of God. This love originates from God Himself, reflecting His Spirit in us, and as we exhibit it, we take on the nature of our Father. Those who reflect God's love show they are born of Him, while those who do not, regardless of their knowledge, fail to truly know Him. The proof of God's love is evident in the world He has provided, where rain falls on the just and unjust alike, in His patience toward us, and most profoundly, in sending His Son as a sacrifice to reconcile us to Him. Even when we were ignorant of His ways and opposed to Him, He loved us and sought our ultimate good. As I John 3:16 states, we perceive God's love because He laid down His life for us, and in like manner, we are called to lay down our lives for others, perfecting His love in us through active application in our relationships. This love is not our own but God's love within us, and as the Father and Son love, so must we strive to love our fellow man. John emphasizes that we love Him because He first loved us, underscoring that true love is reflected in our way of living. If we harbor hatred or resentment, we lack God's love, but if we actively love others, even forgiving as He forgave us, we emulate His nature and grow toward perfection. Perfect love casts out fear, granting us boldness to stand before Him, as we become like Him in this world. Jesus Christ taught that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, submitting every faculty to His will and devoting ourselves to glorify Him. The first four commandments demonstrate this direct love for God, ensuring no idols or other gods stand before Him, honoring His name in all aspects of life, and keeping the Sabbath as holy time to refresh spiritually and honor Him. The second great commandment, to love our neighbor as ourselves, extends this love to all around us—family, friends, countrymen, and even enemies—by seeking their good, denying ourselves if needed, and refraining from harm, even when their actions do not warrant kindness. Attaining God's nature and love requires keeping His commandments, not as a burden, but as essential boundaries that train us to become like Him. True love produces a desire to live God's way, and obedience to His Word perfects this love, establishing an intimate relationship with Him and His Son. If true love exists in the heart, it will be reflected in our actions, showing that we belong to Him and uniting all aspects of His calling in us. Above all, we are to put on godly love, forgiving others as He forgave us, cementing the understanding of His laws and opening His mind for us to emulate.