In this teaching segment, Pastor Luther Walker continues exploring the attribute of God’s love, focusing on kindness as the second key aspect listed in 1 Corinthians 13:4 (after long-suffering). Kindness is defined as a benevolent disposition that makes others feel at ease and comfortable in one’s presence.
The message draws from several Scriptures to show God’s kindness in action:
Ephesians 2:7 — God will display the exceeding riches of His grace through kindness toward believers in Christ Jesus in the ages to come.
Titus 3:4-5 — Salvation appeared when God’s kindness and fondness for humanity manifested; salvation comes not by human works but by God’s mercy, through regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 2:4 — The kindness (not merely “goodness”) of God leads people to repentance (a change of mind), not threats of punishment.
Romans 3:12 — Apart from God, no one practices true kindness; humanity in its fallen state lacks this quality, becoming unprofitable and morally depraved.
Walker emphasizes that genuine kindness aligns with love: it seeks the best for the other person, not self-gratification or enabling sin. True kindness does not tolerate or permit ongoing sinfulness, as that ultimately harms the individual. God’s kindness led to Christ’s death as the propitiation for sin (Romans 3:25), satisfying divine righteousness rather than overlooking sin.
The teaching connects kindness to the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), noting that kindness and goodness are distinct (kindness = putting others at ease; goodness = beneficial quality). All aspects of the fruit flow from love, and expressing one often involves others (e.g., long-suffering paired with kindness).
Additional points include:
Gentiles currently experience God’s kindness due to Israel’s partial hardening (Romans 11:22), but Israel will be grafted back in.
The church does not replace Israel; covenants with Abraham remain literal and unbreakable.
Believers are exhorted to “put on” kindness, compassion, humility, meekness (objectivity of mind), long-suffering, and to be gracious toward one another and even toward themselves (Colossians 3:12-13).
Kindness toward struggling Christians involves bearing with them (long-suffering) rather than withdrawing or devouring them.
Manifesting kindness requires a renewed mind focused on things above (Colossians 3), confidence in one’s position in Christ, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Overall, the message stresses that God’s kindness is not permissive tolerance but redemptive action that draws people to salvation and maturity while rejecting sin, and believers reflect this same character.
