Patrick J van Rensburg
Galatians 5.22-23 “Now the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …”
3 Groups
- Love, Joy and Peace: You and God
- Patient, Kindness and Goodness: You and your Neighbour
- Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control: You and Yourself
Gal 5:22 Maar die vrug van die Gees is liefde, blydskap, vrede, lankmoedigheid, vriendelikheid, goedheid, getrouheid, sagmoedigheid, selfbeheersing.
Kindness
Kindness is chrestotes, which carries the idea of helpfulness. It is the willingness to serve the needs of others.
Part of its meaning is useful, which makes it clear that biblical kindness involves action.
1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions”
Action includes some kind of self-sacrifice and therefore generosity on our part, especially of our time.
It takes genuine effort to be truly kind. In Galatians 5:19-21, the apostle Paul refers to human nature as “the flesh” and our natural tendencies as the “works of the flesh.” These include hatred, jealousies, selfish ambitions, and envy. All these traits are selfish and self-centred.
Philippians 2:3-4 Kindness requires the opposite – caring concern for others. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others”
Rom 12:10 wees hartlik teenoor mekaar met broederlike liefde; die een moet die ander voorgaan in eerbetoning;
- Hartlik
- Eerbetoning
Rom. 12:10 Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
Hartlik: “uit te verkoop, op te offer, alles te gee”
Rom12:10 (GW) Be devoted to each other like a loving family
Almal het behoefte aan ware liefde. Die grootste nood in vandag se lewe, is die behoefte aan liefde.
Eerbetoning: Rom. 12:10b “practice playing second fiddle.”
Rom 12:11 wees nie traag in die ywer nie; wees vurig van gees; dien die Here;
- Die motief: Wees nie traag nie
- Die metode: Vurig, die Here te dien
Rom. 12:11 (ANV) Moenie in julle toewyding verslap nie, bly altyd geesdriftig, dien die Here
Opwaartse Fokus – Gebed: Rom. 12:12 verbly julle in die hoop; wees geduldig in die verdrukking; volhard in die gebed.
Uitwaartse Fokus – Gee: Rom. 12:13 Maak voorsiening in die behoeftes van die heiliges; streef na gasvryheid;
Rom. 12:12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Rom 12:13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
1 Joh. 3:18 (ANV) Liewe kinders, ons liefde moenie net woorde en lippetaal wees nie, maar moet met die daad bewys word, en dan in opregtheid.
1 Joh. 3:18 (AOV) My kinders, laat ons nie liefhê met woorde of met die tong nie, maar met die daad en in waarheid.
Ephesians 2:10 We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago
Gal 6:10 “Whenever we have the opportunity we should do good to everyone”
Eph 5:16 “Use every chance you have for doing good”
Prov 3:27 “Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbour to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.”
Some examples of acts of kindness are opening a door, a kind word or a smile, helping someone to carry a heavy load and giving food to someone hungry.
Goodness
Goodness is agathosune, a Greek word unique to the NT
The difference between agathosune (goodness) and chrestotes (kindness) is interesting. Agathosune (Goodness) will correct and rebuke when necessary, whereas chrestotes (Kindness) simply seeks to help.
Kindness mainly involves being generous and considerate, and helping others whereas goodness involves righteousness in action or doing what is right.
Goodness is righteousness in action as it involves doing what is right and encouraging others to do good.
Goodness is doing what is right. Doing the right thing.
Kindness is doing Good, Goodness is doing the right things
The king Hezekiah is an example of goodness. When he takes the throne in Judah, the temple of God is in disrepair, and idols are set up across the land.
So Hezekiah makes things right:
- He reinstates the priests of God (2 Ch 29:5).
- He brings people from all Israel to celebrate Passover (2 Ch 30:5).
- He removes the idols (2Ch 31:1).
2 Ch 31:20–21 Hezekiah “did what was good, right and true before the LORD his God,” and everything he did, “he did with all his heart and prospered”
Mat 5:14 Julle is die lig van die wêreld. ‘n Stad wat bo-op ‘n berg lê, kan nie weggesteek word nie; Mat 5:15 en ‘n mens steek ook nie ‘n lamp op en sit dit onder die maatemmer nie, maar op die staander, en dit skyn vir almal wat in die huis is. Mat 5:16 Laat julle lig só skyn voor die mense, dat hulle julle goeie werke kan sien en julle Vader wat in die hemele is, verheerlik.
3 John 1:11 “He who does good [as a way of life] is of God, but he who does evil [as a way of life] has not seen God [i.e., has not come to really know Him]”
Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Goodness is pursuing what’s right & avoiding evil