As we cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, we become more like Jesus, and Jesus was never cruel, but he was clear. Kindness is clear about what is worth holding on to and what needs to be released. Kindness is about understanding which burdens are worth bearing and which need to be cast aside because they only serve to drive ourselves or others into the ground.

Paul advised the Galations not only in the behaviors they ought to avoid, but in the intentions, behaviors and practices to which they should commit themselves, those which would grow the community of Christ, those which would allow both individuals and the community to flourish. “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.”