Kindness with Irene Sun
On today’s episode of the Journeywomen podcast we’re chatting with Irene Sun about God’s kindness and how the ultimate expression of his kindness is the way he sent his Son, Jesus, to die for us. Because of what Jesus did, the Holy Spirit resides in those who believe in him and we too can actually seek to emulate his kindness for a lost and dying world to see by the power of the Spirit that resides within us. So you’ll know her a little better, Irene Sun was born in Malaysia and is the author of the picture book God Counts: Numbers in His Word and His World. She teaches her four boys with her preacher husband in Chicago, and through TGC Women’s Training Network.
Can you tell us a little about who you are and what you do?
What is kindness? What is the difference between God's kindness and human "niceness"?
How does God display kindness?
There is a myth that Jesus in the New Testament is kind, but the God of the Old Testament is wrathful. Can we talk about this misunderstanding?
What response do God's people have to his kindness?
How does Scripture admonish us to emulate his kindness? How are we to do that?
If we show kindness to others the way God shows kindness to us, shouldn't we be afraid of people taking advantage of us?
What, or who, enables us to actually be kind? Where do we derive our strength to actually be kind?
Many of the listeners have experienced some type of unkindness or injustice. What encouragement do you have for them?
How does a generous and kind inclination toward those around us point others to the gospel?
THREE QUESTIONS I ASK EVERY GUEST
What 3 resources would you recommend for someone who wants to learn more about kindness?
What are your 3 simple joys?
Who has had the greatest impact on your own journey with Jesus?
NOTEWORTHY QUOTES
“Kindness is hard to define. It’s hard to define the taste of honey. You know how kindness tastes when you’re on the receiving end. And you know when you’re on the receiving end of unkindness, or meanness.”
“The best way to know kindness is to taste it.”
“Perhaps Paul says it best in Philippians when he says, ‘do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.’”
“God’s kindness is all-knowing. He knows our culture and our circumstances. When he gives you an offer he knows exactly what to offer. For human niceness, our knowledge is so limited.”
“His kindness is always a fulfillment of a promise he has made.”
“His kindness is to pursue us so that we would fall at his feet and worship.”
“When he rescues us it is to bring us to him.”
“His kindness is never random. It is always purposeful and always for our good.”
“Both in the Old and the New Testament, God’s tenderness and toughness come through as well as his mercy and judgment. All the layers of those things are part of his kindness.”
“The first act of rebellion of Adam and Eve was them being ungrateful. They were lusting after that one thing they were not allowed to have. They started making bad decisions when they stopped being grateful. The response of the Christian, regardless of circumstances, is to thank God.”
“Ultimately we need him. He is our ultimate good.”
“God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.”
“God’s kindness toward me is not just so I can have a happy life. Ultimately I will be happy when I have God.”
“One who is forgiven much, loves much.”
“The more we realize how much kindness we’ve received from the Lord, the more we want to show kindness.”
“We need to hate our own sin more than the sin of others.”
“Am I well acquainted with my own habits and self-glorifying tendencies?”
“We are living sacrifices unto the Lord. He has all of our days written in his book.”
“Whenever we do make sacrifices unto the Lord, we offer ourselves to him.”
“Acknowledge injustice and that it is hard to go through what you’re going through.”
“Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. We cannot cause any fruit to grow. At the end of the day it is God who causes us to bear fruit.”
“It is God who causes a tree to bear fruit. We can work and participate and labor with God but it is the one who causes the garden to bear fruit.”
“We need to use words in order to share the hope that we have.”
“If the gospel is not shared, we are not being kind.”
“If we don’t preach the gospel with words, people are not going to know of the hope that we have in Jesus.”
“In order for us to grow in kindness, we need to become increasingly others focused.”
RESOURCES
Reading books
Learning about other cultures
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How is God’s kindness different than human niceness? What does it taste like?
How have you recently seen God’s kindness in your life?
What does it look like to emulate the kindness of God in your daily life?
How can generosity and kindness point others to the gospel?
What will abiding in Christ look like for you this week?
SCRIPTURE MEMORY
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:1–4
IMPORTANT NOTE
Journeywomen interviews are intended to serve as a springboard for continued study in the context of your local church. While we carefully select guests each week, interviews do not imply Journeywomen's endorsement of all writings and positions of the interviewee or any other resources mentioned.
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