More Than a Covering

Is it more important to be correct or to be kind? That is not a false dilemma; the premise of the question isn’t about exclusion but about priority. If you were thinking about a man who was complete in Christ, which of the two characteristics would be more memorable?

Before I say more, I am touchy-feely…at least about my Bible covers. I once shipped my Hebrew-Greek combo Bible to Mexico for six months in order to get a calf-skin cover on it. When you open the Bible, the Bible says it is profitable for rebuke and correction (2 Timothy 3:16). The Word is a gift for our understanding. God is love, and God is light, and we ought to want the light on bright.

But, you’ve been hearing me repeat the fruit of the Spirit for a few weeks now. Interesting, isn’t it, that the same Spirit who breathed-out the Word does more (not less) than make us accurate. He didn’t say anywhere among the nine attributes that the fruit is knowledge, understanding, or wisdom; nowhere is being correct, or having a critical Spirit.

The list does talk about fruit including kindness (χρηστότης, Galatians 5:22), and that is more than just a covering.

God Himself is kind. Taste and see that the Lord is kind (χρηστὸς, 1 Peter 2:3; though the ESV translates it as “good,” it’s the same Greek cognate). His kindness leads to repentance (χρηστὸν, Romans 2:4).

What does it mean to be kind? What does it feel like when someone isn’t kind to you?

It is spiritual and godly and wise to be kind. “A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.” (Proverbs 11:17, see also Proverbs 21:21).