“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
I have always considered “Against such things there is no law” to mean–no law of God—God always accepts these things. I wondered why that passage was included because of course there would be no law against love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Not saying that interpretation is incorrect, but when I was talking to my daughter, Jill, about not being persecuted for doing kind things she mentioned this passage.
There is no law in any government that would stop us having the fruit of the Spirit. We can always show love and do kind things for people. Perhaps there are laws against doing specific acts of kindness, but not many. This can be an opening to share the gospel even when other doors are closed.
In our town Christians Education was allowed in our elementary schools for one hour a week. Parents were given the choice of having their children take Catholic religion, Protestant religion or study hall. This had been the practice for several years. The government had made an agreement to allow one hour of religious instruction when they took education over from the Catholic Church.
One year the Minister of Education announced that Christian Education during school hours was against the constitution. Several ministers and other citizens met with the Minister of Education, but he would not change his mind. He said that Christian Education could be after school or at noon hour or a class encompassing all religions could be taught. Christian Education did not begin that fall even though the parental permission slips had already been returned.
I had been at a conference in Vancouver where the speaker had mentioned that a group had picked up garbage in the city while praying that the garbage in men’s hearts would be uprooted. Quite a bit of my time had been spent preparing and teaching Christian Education, so with free time I began to pick up garbage, especially around the schools. Naturally, many of my prayers concerned the children who wouldn’t have a chance to hear about Jesus. I tried to do this when no one would notice.
In January I decided to ask the principles of the two schools (grades one to three and four to six) if I could teach children Christian Education at noon. Both principles thanked me for picking up garbage! One had even thanked his students for keeping the school yard clean before he heard it was me! They were happy to let me teach Christian Education and provided me with a classroom, flannel board and use of a photocopy machine. I still enjoy this privilege and have dedicated helpers.
This is an example of a kindness that led to children accepting the love of Jesus. Perhaps Christian Education would have been allowed even without this act of kindness, but certainly not without prayer! This practice reminded me to pray, and only God knows why He had me pick up garbage.
Another example is acts of kindness show Jewish people that evangelical Christians support them. Even though the gospel is not directly preached, this kindness will surely be part of “all Israel will be saved…” Romans 11:26 in the last days.
We should do acts of kindness for Jesus: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
Whatever we do for others we do for Jesus: "…`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
Acts of kindness are allowed in every society and can soften even the hardest heart.