Welcome, Autumn and goodbye September! For our last week of this month, we take a look at the fruit of "Goodness" from my "Fruit Of The Spirit" series.
Galatians 5:22-25
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Fruit Of Focus- GoodnessGalatians 5:22-25
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
"Gracious Father, Gentle Saviour, Lord You have been good to me.
Jesus, You have saved my soul and called me to a life that’s free!
Help me Lord, to serve Your people. Keep my heart in check, I pray.
Since I now live by the Spirit, may I walk in step each day.
As I bear the fruit of kindness, may it grow to other things.
Let my life display Your goodness, oh the joy this fruit can bring!
May I benefit my brethren, placing needs before my own.
Generosity of spirit brings such honour to Your Throne!
How this trait reflects the Saviour! How it shows Your heart and mind!
Jesus’ death upon the Cross shows Your goodness t’ward mankind.
Goodness seeks to bless another, goodness won’t be put to shame.
Let my light shine ever-brighter, may it glorify Your name!"
Galatians 6:10
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Food For Thought
It’s so interesting that the “fruit of the Spirit” verses come straight after the “works of the flesh” which are listed between verses 19 to 21 in Galatians 5. The Apostle Paul talks about the “works of the flesh” in a plural sense but the “fruit of the Spirit” he mentions in the singular. It’s fruit of the Spirit, not fruits of the Spirit.
These are different to the gifts of the Spirit which are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. As verse 11 explains, the Holy Spirit distributes these gifts to each person, individually, as He wills. In other words, the gifts are given by the Spirit, differently to each person, as the Lord sees fit.
The fruit of the Spirit however, is the one, same work that the Spirit does through all God’s people. This is a work meant for every child of God.
A couple of beautiful characteristics of fruit are that it reproduces itself and fruit also nourishes. It seems incredibly fitting that the first fruit on the list in Galatians 5 is “Love” because this encompasses and leads to all the others that follow. It could even be said that all eight terms that come after “Love,” basically show us what love in action looks like. Simply put, love embraces all the fruits of the Spirit.
“Goodness” follows on from “kindness” and these two words are closely connected to each other. Perhaps the only real difference between the two is the idea that “goodness” brings with it a sense of generosity.
As with “kindness,” “goodness” seeks to benefit others and there’s no greater example of this than the goodness God showed us when Jesus went to the Cross to pay for our sins.
Christ’s ministry and sacrifice are powerful examples of God’s generosity and goodness towards mankind. Jesus brought healing and redemption for others and so it’s no surprise that the word “Gospel” literally translates as, “Good News.” Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we see the goodness of God displayed in the most powerful and breathtaking way!
Questions For Personal Reflection
Are acts of goodness something I try to bless others with in my life? If so, do they come from a genuine love for God and people, a selfless heart and a desire to bless or are they motivated by a need to be noticed and admired?
Have I ever considered that Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross is actually a display of God’s goodness towards mankind? When I consider that the Bible calls each Christian to live in such a way as to reflect Christ’s character, does this inspire me to want to shine God’s light through genuine acts of goodness more?
Goodness isn’t about doing extravagant or elaborate things to gain recognition, so what small act of goodness can I do today to bless someone in my life?
