CULTIVATE: BE WEIRD, BE BLESSED

Jonathan Falwell 

Today, we continue our series on the Fruit of the Spirit. We have been studying these necessary characteristics, or “graces”, which should be part of every believer’s life. God’s Word clearly states we will be known by our fruit, this passage lays out the definition.

Galatians 5:22–25 (NKJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

The next two manifestations of the Fruit of the Spirit which we will discuss today are KINDNESS and GOODNESS. These are two concepts which we desire to be part of our lives, yet we all struggle in practice. For these to be present, we must make sure HE is present and we are allowing Him to work within us.

Max Anders stated, “…only the Holy Spirit can produce the fruit; but he will not do so unless we are striving to the best of our ability for them in faithful obedience.”[1]

1. Abiding in Him

John 15:5 (NKJV) I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

John 15:7–8 (NKJV) If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

• Ruth Paxson stated: “Many people have been baptized with the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ, and they are going to heaven. But they are missing so much of what God wants them to have in this life. Consciously or unconsciously, they are more interested in imitating the world system dominated by Satan than in imitating Christ. Their gifts are often unused, and spiritual fruit is absent from their lives. Nor do they have any great concern to evangelize the spiritually needy in their own community. Their zeal to walk in obedience to the commandments of Christ grows weak. Their devotional life is uneven, if not totally neglected, and they anticipate reading the news more than reading the Word of God. If they do pray, it is a cheerless duty and a tedious task rather than a joy. As with Lot in Sodom, sin for them has lost some of its sinfulness; their sensitivity to sin has been numbed and the edge of conscience blunted. Known sins remain unconfessed. Christians so often lack the fullness of the Spirit with its true dependence on God’s power for their ministry.”[2]

2. Kindness

Chrēstotēs = to act kindly towards another, to provide something beneficial for someone as an act of kindness. Being kind even to people who treat you wrongly.

    A. It’s more than just being nice

    B. It’s more than just a show

    C. It’s more than just for those you know

Samuel Johnson said, “Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.”[3]

3. Goodness

• Agathōsynē = the act of generous giving, with the implication of its relationship to goodness, being generous, mercy rather than punishment.

    A. It’s an external glimpse of the internal heart

    B. It’s an active representation of our thoughts

    C. It’s the natural result of an unnatural act – OBEDIENCE

Jimmy Darts said, “Serving others should be an everyday part of life, as natural as brushing our teeth.”[4]

• “Goodness is not tied to greatness, but greatness is tied to goodness”[5] – Anonymous

4. The blessing of CALM

John 14:25–27 (NKJV) These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.

26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

• Kindness and Goodness will result in a life of peace
• David Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “The more we live and try to practice the Sermon on the Mount, the more shall we experience blessing.”[6]

Action steps:

1. Figure out how to abide in Him

• Walk in worship, soak in the Word, focus on prayer, believe His promises

1. Look for the odd opportunity to be kind rather than not

• It will take intentionality

1. Bless someone this week without any ulterior motive

• Do something out of the ordinary “for the glory of God and the good of others”

1 Max Anders, Galatians-Colossians, vol. 8, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 65.

[2] Murray, Jerry. Third Greatest Commandment, Lynchburg, Virginia, 2025, pg. 18.

[3] Water, Mark. The New Encyclopedia of Christian Quotations, Baker Publishing Group, 2000.

[4] Darts, Jimmy. Undercover Kindness: Saying Yes to Love, No to Fear, and Embracing the Life-Changing Power of Ordinary Generosity. Random House, 2025, pg. 110.

[5] Draper, Edythe. Draper’s Book of Quotations for the Christian World. Tyndale House Publishers, 1992.

[6] Martin Manser, ed., Christian Quotations (Martin Manser, 2016).