Good. Goodness. These simple words are used frequently in the English language, many times overused. I admit that I wasn’t exactly excited about writing on goodness today. In the list of fruit of the Spirit, it’s not one given much consideration. So, I did some study, and I am excited to share my new understanding of this fruit of the Spirit.
Definition
In the article, “The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is goodness?” from GotQuestions.org, goodness is a quality of God “that relates directly to morality.” When people say, “God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good;” it is an affirmation of God’s character.
The Greek word for “goodness” is agathosune, meaning “uprightness of heart and life.” Goodness is a virtue, but the article points out, the merit of goodness is “the benefit of others, not goodness simply for the sake of being virtuous.” God wants His goodness to be born in us, so others might see and experience Him.
God is Good.
God is upright in all His ways. Along with the other fruit of the Spirit, it is the core of who He is.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 107:1)
In Psalm 34:8, we are challenged in our relationship to God to experience God’s goodness: “. . . taste and see that the Lord is good!” What’s more, Psalm 31:19 tells us that God’s goodness is vast and plentiful. There is an unending supply.
Here’s a song to encourage you in God’s goodness:
Goodness Comes by the Holy Spirit.
Scripture makes clear that humanity is not good apart from God.
as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one. . . (Romans 3:10)
The apostle Paul knew the struggle of the sinful nature, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out” (Romans 7:18).
BUT, the good news is that in Christ we are new creations, and by His Spirit working in us, the goodness of God is at work in our lives. Keeping “in step with the Spirit” allows God’s core values to be at work in us, transforming us into the image of His Son. A children’s storybook on the Fruit of the Spirit winsomely teaches that if you see me doing something good, by the power of the Holy Spirit, “that’s Jesus in me.”
Goodness is for Others
As the GotQuestions.org article shared, the goodness people see in me (the fruit of God’s work in me), is for the benefit of others.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
Furthermore, when people see the Fruit of the Spirit in your life, they get to see and experience who God is. People can’t see or touch God, but they can have a tangible experience with Him as you bear His fruit in your life.
Fruit for Thought
As you go through your day, ask God to increase goodness in you. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, listening and watching for opportunities to do good, and give thanks for the goodness done to you.
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