Good morning people who walk in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:25 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

1 Peter 3:13-17 NIV Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Being kind and doing good does not mean that everything will go well with you and that everyone will like you. Jesus was the fullness of doing good and being kind, and He was killed by those He came to save.

I believe that we need to remove the notion that doing God’s will always results in angels singing and people repenting (can we be honest here). My challenge over the years – well, one of them at least – has been a worldly perspective of “If I do good, good will happen and I will feel good.” Sometimes this is true. Sometimes the opposite is true.

But let’s go back again to the example and life of Jesus. We shouldn’t be surprised when things don’t go well for us when we are being kind – gentle and respectful as the scripture above says – when it didn’t go well for Jesus.

I feel to remind us of the following verse about Jesus:

Acts 10:38 NIV how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Jesus was anointed to do good and heal people because God was with Him. He was kind and loving and generous and gentle. And yet He suffered at the hands of those He loved. But that was not the end! 

Countless millions of people throughout the last two thousand years have come into relationship with the Father through Jesus because of His life! This is the big picture of God’s eternal plan! This is the result of the kindness of God that has led people to repentance!

May the same be true in our lives as His sons and daughters of God.