Fruit of the Spirit Pt. 2 - Week 3, Day 3

Day 3: Don't be a Sally (Kind Words)

A young lady named Sally took a seminary class taught by Professor Sullivan, who was known for his elaborate object lessons. One day Sally walked into class to find a large target placed on the wall, with several darts resting on a nearby table. Professor Sullivan told the student to draw a picture of someone they disliked or someone who had made them angry--and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.

Sally's friend (on her right) drew a picture of another woman who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend (on her left) drew a picture of his younger brother. Sally drew a picture of her Professor.

The class lined up and began throwing darts amidst the laughter. Some of the students threw the darts with such force that they ripped apart their targets.

Sally looked forward to her turn but was disappointed when the Professor asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally fumed about missing her chance to throw the darts, the professor began removing the target from the wall.

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled image of their Savior--holes and jagged marks covered his face. His eyes were virtually pierced out.

Professor Sullivan said only these words, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40

I try to be a kind person because God has been so kind to me. I don’t know if you and I can fully grasp how messed up we really are, and how hard it must be to love people like us. Let me explain. All of us have a disease called sin. All of us have done things, said things, thought things that have gone against the purpose and direction of a Holy God.

Just like the leper we read about earlier this week, we were unclean, not fit for entrance into the kingdom of God. We were the untouchables and then Jesus came. He wrapped his arms around us and took our sin upon Himself. He went to the cross and paid the debt we owed God.

He did not treat us as we deserved to be treated. He did not banish us to hell for the wrongs we have done to Him. He was and is kind, and good to us. He is better to us than any of us will ever deserve. He didn’t have to do it, but He did anyway.

Our response to the love and kindness that God has shown you and me should be to show love and kindness to those in our little world. We are to extend the same kindness that He has extended to us. How do we do that? Here is the best formula I know for being a kind person.

James 1:19 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

How often have you and I done the direct opposite of this verse and been unkind? Rather than being quick to listen, we cut other people off mid-sentence. Rather than being slow to speak, we just jump right in there with whatever came off the top of our heads. Rather than having a long fuse before we blow up, we just let it rip right off.

Our mouths can be so unkind.

A man was standing in line to buy an airline ticket. When he reached the counter he said, “I would like to buy a ticket to New York City.” The agent said, “No problem. How many pieces of luggage do you have?’ He said, “Three”. She said, “Do you want to check all three to New York?” He said, “No. I want you to send the first piece of luggage to Phoenix, the second to Seattle, and the third one to London.”

She said, “Sir, I’m sorry but we can’t do that.” He said, “I don’t know why not. That’s what you did last week.”

A person can make their point with a butter knife just as easily as a butcher knife.

Are you kind to others with your words?

Time Out:

Look up 1 Thessalonians 5:15 and answer the following questions.

Who should we be kind to?

Are we supposed to get revenge on anyone?

Why do you think God says that?

Jesus was so kind to everyone. Even to those who crucified Him. When Jesus was hanging on the cross for the sins of the world; as He looked at those who had mocked Him, beat Him, and nailed Him to His cross, the first words that came out of His mouth were what? Look up Luke 23:34 and write down below what Jesus said to them.