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 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.

Loving God is the greatest calling we have been given, a command that surpasses all others in importance. We are to love the Lord with all our heart, with every faculty and power, holding Him supreme above all beings or things with tremendous ardor and zeal. This means devoting our lives to Him in service, submitting our intellect to His will, and loving His law and gospel more than our own thoughts and decisions. We must be willing to surrender all our faculties to His teaching and guidance, dedicating our intellectual abilities to Him. With all our physical and mental strength, we are to labor to please and glorify Him by becoming like Him in all that we do. The first four commandments reveal how we show direct love toward God. We must have no other gods besides Him, allowing nothing to take precedence over our commitment to Him. We are to avoid making idols, whether physical or in the form of lifestyles, intellect, beauty, strength, wealth, or escapes we turn to in weakness. Loving God requires us to fight against these distractions and rid ourselves of them. We must honor His name in all aspects of our lives—our marriages, childrearing, business practices, and what we allow into our minds—representing Him with integrity. Keeping the Sabbath as holy time, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, is a sign of our love and obedience to Him. It is a time to rest from ordinary duties, to engage in meaningful Bible study, to visit the sick, to encourage one another, and to be refreshed spiritually while attending services. God's love toward us is the foundation of our ability to love Him. He first loved us, even when we were ignorant of His way and did not desire it, wanting the best for us when we did not know what was good for ourselves. His love is shown in the world He has given us, in the rain that falls on the just and unjust, in His patience toward us, and most profoundly in sending His Son as a sacrifice so we might be reconciled to Him. We perceive His love because He laid down His life for us, and in like manner, we are to lay down our lives for others. As we actively love others, both within and outside the church, in the same manner that God loves us, His love is perfected in us, and we grow in His nature, going on to perfection. Loving God produces a desire to live His way, and His commandments are essential to that life. Obedience to His Word trains us to become just like Him, reflecting His nature. For those who conscientiously observe and work to obey His doctrine, the love of God is perfected, establishing an intimate relationship with Him and His Son. True love in the heart will be reflected in our way of living, showing that we belong to Him. If we harbor hatred or grudges toward others, we do not have His love within us. Perfect love casts out fear, and as we grow in love and trust in Him, we can stand boldly before Him, taking on His nature. We are to love Him because He first loved us, and this love is not our own but His love working in us, shaping us to love others as He does.