A Lifelong Commitment to Kindness

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

September 7th Sermon, Day 5

Throughout this week, we've explored different dimensions of kindness – how it goes deeper than niceness, how it should flow from our character like Boaz, how it crosses boundaries like the Good Samaritan, and how it extends even to ourselves as we approach God with childlike faith.

What ties all these together is that true kindness isn't a one-time event or occasional choice. It's a lifelong commitment – a fruit of the Spirit that grows and multiplies as we abide in Christ.

Kindness doesn't stand alone among the fruits of the Spirit. It's nourished by love, strengthened by patience, guided by goodness, and expressed with gentleness. As one fruit grows, it feeds the others, creating a beautiful cycle of Christlike character development in our lives.

The beautiful thing about committing to kindness is that it transforms not just individual moments but entire relationships and communities. Imagine a church where kindness is the default response to every situation – where people consistently go the extra mile, cross uncomfortable boundaries, and extend grace to themselves and others. This is the church Jesus is building.

As we conclude this devotional series, let's commit to being people of kindness – not just when it's convenient or visible, but as a lifelong expression of Christ in us. Let's be filled with His kindness so that we can pour it out to others, creating ripples of grace that extend far beyond what we can see.

Bible Verse

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

Reflection Question

How might your relationships, community, and witness be transformed if you made a lifelong commitment to growing in kindness as a fruit of the Spirit?

Quote

Being nice is often just a moment. But kindness is a lifelong commitment.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for modeling perfect kindness through Your life and sacrifice. Fill me with Your Spirit so that kindness becomes not just an occasional action but a consistent fruit in my life. Help me to commit to kindness for the long haul – in easy and difficult relationships, in public and private moments, toward others and myself. Make our church a community known for extraordinary kindness that reflects Your heart. Amen.