I often think of goodness and kindness in the same breath. Kindness and goodness are both fruits of the Holy Spirit that God wants to develop in all of us (Gal 5:22). They are both characteristics of God’s nature and grace (Ps 23:6; Ps 117:2; Eph 2:7) and he desires us to pursue both of them (Rom 11:22; Col 3:12; Prov 19:22). Goodness and kindness are intertwined and both of the heart.

Goodness is a sense of godliness, grace, tenderness, compassion and kindness; a generous spirit. The desire to not only be good but do good as well. Kindness is goodness in action; it has many of the elements of goodness. It is gentleness and sweetness of nature; it can be seen as a practical expression of love. Kindness is seen doing good even toward people that are difficult to get along with.

We need to grow in kindness and goodness as they demonstrate God’s love to those around us. The Holy Spirit works to develop these characteristics in us as we humble ourselves and cooperate in faith.  Let goodness and kindness be characteristics of all of our lives.

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“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14; KJV).

I just want to focus on the second half of that verse; the importance of being enthusiastic about doing good deeds.

The most important part of being a Christian is definitely spending time with God. However, it doesn’t end there; good deeds are important. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).

Remember that Jesus: “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil” (Acts 10:38). He didn’t just heal the sick but he also went around doing good, we often tend to forget that. Kindness is really the practical out working of goodness.

The apostle James taught us that faith without works is dead, that we shouldn’t just pray for someone’s situation but do something to help (James 2:14-17).  Let’s look for opportunities to do random acts of kindness today and be a blessing to someone.

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 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” (Col 1:13-14; KJV).

Jesus told Nicodemus the Pharisee that he needed to be born again; he needed a spiritual rebirth or salvation as we often refer to it (John 3:3-5). Salvation only comes through Jesus (Acts 3:12). We know that if we believe in Christ and ask him into our life as Lord and Savior; confess him as Lord with our mouths, we will be saved (Rom 10:9-10).

However, going back to our text above, we need to get into the bible and see just what happened when we were saved. We need to be discipled in a bible believing church and grow in all God has for us. Our text gives us a small glimpse of what God has for us as Christians. It says we have been taken out from under the devil’s power and control and placed in Gods kingdom of light. Satan may still try to tempt and trip us but as we keep our eyes on Jesus, on the word of God, we can walk in the victory we have in Christ.

In our verse above we are also told that we have redemption. The bible says we have been redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13). Redeemed means to be bought at a price; the price was Jesus’ death on that cross. The curses of the law are listed in Deuteronomy 28 and can be summarized as poverty, sickness and spiritual death. In Galatians 3:13 we are told that we are redeemed to receive the blessings of God.

Our original text above also tells us that we have been forgiven. We are forgiven freely by God’s grace from sins past present and future. In fact, our sins have been cast as far from us as the east in from the west (Ps 103:12). Satan may try to remind us of bad things we have done but we need to remind him of God’s love and forgiveness for us.

There is so much we have in salvation; we have just mentioned a few points here. Dig into your bible and discover God’s love and blessings for you. His promises are all yes and amen (2 Cor 1:20).

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“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Prov. 4:18; KJV).    

If the path ahead of you doesn’t seem very bright at the moment, be encouraged by this verse which says it WILL get brighter and brighter. In addition, in Proverbs 13:9 we are told that the light within the righteous brightens ours faces. So, not only will your path get brighter but so will you.

We also see this in the New Testament in Philippians 2:15. We are told that we shine as bright lights in this wicked world. Jesus is the light and we have him in us, he is our light (John 17:23; John 8:12). Jesus taught that we are not to hide our light but let it shine, just like you would not switch a flash light on and then hide it in a box (Matt 5:15)!

We have opportunities to let our light shine wherever we find ourselves, whether it be at work, in the neighborhood or in the marketplace. So, let your light shine today (Matt 5:16) and make a difference in someone's life (Acts 13:47).   

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“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation" (Ps 91:14-16; KJV).

The whole of Psalm 91 is wonderful but I love these last 3 verses. God will deliver us, set us on high, answer us, be with us in trouble, give us long life, save us and never forsake us.

However, I believe we have a part to play. What is our job? We need to show God how much we love him and make him the first priority in our lives, ahead of everything and everyone else. Our God is a jealous God (Ex 20:5; 2 Cor 11:2). We need to get to know him, his character, nature and power and understand how much he loves us. We should learn to truly appreciate all his blessings.

How do we do that? If God is our first priority, then that priority needs to have corresponding actions. Marriage without relationship is dead as is faith without action and confession (Mark 11:22-23). Making God number one must reflect in quality time spent with him; time in prayer and the word as well as just fellowship with him. Try it, it’s wonderful.

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