Sermon Title: “When Kindness Fades: The Fickleness of Men and the Faithfulness of God”
Introduction
Have you ever noticed how some people are warm, kind, and attentive—until they get what they want?
Perhaps it’s a friend who was always around when they needed help, but vanished once things no longer benefited them. Or maybe it was someone who praised you when you had something to offer, but grew distant when you had nothing left to give.
It’s a painful truth: many people’s kindness is conditional. Their loyalty is tied to advantage. Their love lasts only as long as it serves their purpose.
But in this fleeting and self-centered world, the Bible reveals a greater truth: God’s love never changes. His faithfulness is not based on what He can get from us, but on who He is.
1. The Fickleness of Human Nature
The Bible does not hide the reality of human inconsistency. From Genesis to Revelation, we see that man’s love and loyalty are often shallow and self-serving.
A. The People Who Praised Jesus and Then Rejected Him
In John 12, the crowds shouted “Hosanna!” when Jesus entered Jerusalem. They spread palm branches before Him, crying out that He was the King of Israel.
But just a few days later, those same voices cried, “Crucify Him!” (John 19:6).
What changed?
Jesus was no longer giving them what they wanted. They expected a political savior who would overthrow Rome and restore their nation’s glory. When He didn’t fulfill their expectations, their admiration turned to anger.
This is the nature of man’s praise—it often depends on personal benefit. When Jesus healed the sick and fed the multitudes, people followed Him in crowds. But when He spoke of self-denial, repentance, and the cross, many “turned back and no longer walked with Him” (John 6:66).
B. The Example of Job’s Friends
Job’s friends at first came to comfort him in his suffering. But as his trials continued, their sympathy turned into judgment. They accused him of hidden sin and abandoned compassion.
Their kindness was not rooted in steadfast love but in comfort and convenience.
C. The Betrayal of Judas
Judas Iscariot followed Jesus for years, seeing miracles and hearing divine truth. But his devotion was tied to what he could gain. When Jesus no longer fit his idea of profit, Judas sold Him for thirty pieces of silver.
This shows how people can appear close—even godly—while their hearts are fixed on self-interest.
2. Why People’s Goodness Often Fades
Understanding why people act this way helps us guard our hearts and respond in grace.
A. Because of Selfish Motives
Many people are good only when it serves them. Proverbs 19:4 says,
“Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.”
Human nature tends to seek advantage—status, comfort, or connection. Once those benefits disappear, so does the relationship.
B. Because Love Without God Is Limited
Without God, human love runs on emotion and self-interest, not covenant or sacrifice.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:46–47:
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
In other words, natural love loves the lovable—but divine love loves even when it hurts. Only God’s Spirit can empower a heart to love when there’s nothing to gain.
C. Because the World Teaches Transactional Relationships
We live in a culture where everything is a transaction—favors are exchanged, influence is traded, relationships are built on usefulness.
This mindset even creeps into friendships, workplaces, and families.
But God never meant for love to be a transaction. He designed it to be a reflection of His own nature—constant, unconditional, and faithful.
3. The Faithfulness of God: A Contrast
While man’s love often fades, God’s love never does. Scripture overflows with assurances of His steadfastness.
A. God’s Love Is Covenant Love
Jeremiah 31:3 declares:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
Unlike human affection, God’s love is rooted in His covenant, not our performance. Even when we fail, His love endures.
B. God’s Faithfulness Does Not Depend on Our Worthiness
2 Timothy 2:13 says,
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”
Even when people walk away, God stays. When friends turn their backs, God draws near.
This is the essence of divine love—it flows from His character, not our condition.
C. God’s Love Is Proven in Christ
Romans 5:8 proclaims:
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
When humanity had nothing to offer—when we were spiritually bankrupt—God gave His best.
That is not love that seeks gain; that is love that gives freely.
4. How to Respond When People Leave After They Gain
So how should we respond when people’s kindness fades after they’ve benefited from us?
A. Don’t Let Bitterness Take Root
It’s easy to become cynical when betrayed or used. But Ephesians 4:31–32 says:
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
God calls us to forgive—not because they deserve it, but because He forgave us when we didn’t deserve it.
Letting go of resentment keeps your heart free to love again.
B. Learn to Anchor Your Hope in God, Not People
Psalm 118:8 reminds us,
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”
When we depend on people for validation, love, or loyalty, we will be disappointed.
But when we anchor our hope in God, we find peace even when others fail us.
C. Keep Doing Good Without Expectation
Galatians 6:9 says,
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Keep being kind. Keep serving. Keep loving. Even when it’s not reciprocated.
Because God sees—and He rewards faithfulness that seeks no return.
5. The Example of Jesus
If anyone understood being loved conditionally, it was Jesus.
He healed ten lepers, yet only one returned to thank Him (Luke 17:17).
He fed multitudes, yet in His hour of need, His disciples scattered.
He gave everything, yet was abandoned, denied, and betrayed.
Yet even on the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.”
Jesus loved not because people were worthy, but because His heart overflowed with the love of the Father.
That’s the model we are called to follow.
6. God Rewards Those Who Remain Faithful
When others leave you after gaining what they wanted, God sees.
He remembers every act of love, every tear, every sacrifice.
Hebrews 6:10 says:
“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”
Even when people forget, God records.
Even when people take advantage, God repays.
Your faithfulness in the face of others’ fickleness becomes a testimony to His grace.
7. How to Cultivate Godlike Faithfulness
If we want to rise above the world’s transactional love, we must let God transform our hearts.
A. Abide in Christ
John 15:4–5 says that apart from Christ, we can do nothing.
To love with His love, we must remain close to Him through prayer, His Word, and worship.
When His Spirit fills us, we gain strength to love without expectation.
B. Ask God for Discernment
Proverbs 4:23 says,
“Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Loving does not mean being naïve. God calls us to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16).
We can love people without allowing ourselves to be continually exploited.
C. Reflect God’s Steadfastness in Your Own Life
When you stay faithful even when others are not, you mirror the heart of God.
Your steadfastness becomes a witness to those who only know conditional love.
Conclusion
People will come and go.
Some will praise you today and forget you tomorrow.
Some will be kind as long as they gain something from you.
But God never changes.
When others depart, He remains.
When love grows cold, His love burns brighter.
When you are empty, He fills you.
When you are abandoned, He draws near.
Psalm 27:10 says:
“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”
Let this truth anchor your soul:
Man’s affection is temporary, but God’s faithfulness is eternal.
So keep doing good, keep loving sincerely, and keep trusting in the One who never leaves nor forsakes you.
Because in a world where many love to gain, you serve a God who loves to give.
