The Power of Absolute Kindness

With Bishop Ronald Powell

Moving from transactional politeness to radical, Spirit-led grace.

I. Introduction: The Architecture of Grace

We often treat kindness like a currency—something we spend only when we think the recipient has earned it. But the Gospel doesn’t describe a transaction; it describes a transformation.

Scripture: Acts 20:32

“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

The Message: Kindness is the “building material” of a spiritual life. Paul doesn’t say grace just saves us; he says it builds us up. Absolute kindness is the outward evidence that our internal architecture has been redesigned by God. It is an “inheritance”—something we didn’t earn, but are called to manage and share.

II. The Nature of the Fruit

If you see an apple on a tree, you don’t wonder if the tree is trying hard to be an apple tree; you know it is an apple tree because of what it produced.

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

The Example: Think of a “mellowed” piece of fruit. In the original Greek, the word for kindness used here (chrestotes) implies a sweetness that takes the edge off of life.

• The Transactional World: If someone cuts you off in traffic, the world says “react.”

• The Fruit-Bearing Life: Absolute kindness says, “I don’t know what burden they are carrying that made them hurry.” It is a sweetness that refuses to turn sour, even when the environment is acidic.

III. The Barrier: Pride vs. Favor

The biggest obstacle to absolute kindness is the belief that we are “above” someone else. When we judge, we close the door to kindness.

Scripture: James 4:6

“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'”

The Example: Imagine a high-ranking executive who takes the time to learn the name of the person cleaning the office floors and asks about their family.

• The Proud Heart sees a hierarchy.

• The Humble Heart sees a brother or sister. Absolute kindness requires us to step down from the pedestal of our own ego so we can meet people where they are. God “opposes” the proud because pride acts as a shield that blocks grace from flowing through us.

IV. The Anatomy of Absolute Kindness

To practice this “Absolute” version of kindness, we must look for three markers:

1. Anonymity: Can you do something transformative for someone and never take the credit? (Matthew 6:3)

2. Inconvenience: It’s easy to be kind when it fits your schedule. Absolute kindness shows up when it’s raining, when you’re tired, and when you have “nothing to gain.”

3. Unconditionality: This is the “Hard Grace.” It is being kind to the person who was unkind to you. It is the “system malfunction” that stops a cycle of hate.

V. Conclusion & Call to Action

Absolute kindness is a superpower because it is the only thing that can change the “atmosphere” of a room, a home, or a city. It isn’t a sign of weakness; it is a sign of immense spiritual strength.

The “Seed” Challenge: This week, I want you to identify one “James 4:6” moment. Find a situation where your pride wants to react with coldness or judgment. Instead, intentionally choose a “Galatians 5” response.

Offer a word of encouragement to a critic. Leave a generous tip for a struggling server. Reach out to someone you’ve written off. Allow the “word of His grace” to build something new in you today.