By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. Galatians 5:22-23
“Kindness (included in the ninefold “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22) is a quality of God. “Taste and see that the Lord is kind,” says the psalmist (Psalm 34:8). Jesus taught His hearers to be kind, because God is “kind to the ungrateful and ungenerous,” and those who imitate Him in this “will be sons of the Most High” (Luke 6:35). His “kindness and severity” are displayed in His dealings with human beings (Romans 11:22); His kindness is designed to bring them to repentance (Romans 2:4) and His children are urged to “continue in His kindness” (Romans 11:22).”
F.F. Bruce (1910-1990) in The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians (NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984) 153.
Kindness is “a quality of God” and, like generosity, only evident through the power of the Spirit at work in us. This quality is to be extended even to the ungrateful and ungenerous, even as God’s kindness was lavished on us when we were ungrateful and ungenerous.
I can think of many instances in my life where a difficult or bitter person was softened by kindness. Perhaps you can think of some examples of this? Kindness leads even hard-hearted people to to change directions, that is, to repent. It’s how God treats us and wants us to treat others.
Father in Heaven, lavish your kindness and generosity on us and cause it to flow through us to others. Jesus, help us follow your example and be kind to even ungrateful and ungenerous people. Holy Spirit, help us continue in kindness so that we extend it to everyone, everywhere we go. Amen.