Each month here at Allpartakers I try to focus on a specific fruit of the Spirit and this month it’s Goodness.
Growing up as kids we were told to be good, get good grades, be good to our teachers, be a good student etc.
This issue with this is, when we strive to be “good” for our own benefit it’s coming from the flesh and this does not please God.
However, the Goodness that pleases God comes from his Holy Spirit.
In fact, as believers, the bible teaches us that the moment we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and accept him as Lord and Savior, God the Father then gives us his Holy Spirit that was promise to us. Ephesians 1:13
As such, we now have the ability to produce Christ like character as we submit and surrender our lives to him.
The Goodness the bible speaks of in Galatians 5:22 is not merely one of moral behavior, but of moral excellence and character.
This is best demonstrated by the life of Jesus while he was here on earth.
In fact, the Apostle Peter said this in Acts 10:38 “And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good…”
Another demonstration of Goodness in action can be found in Luke 10:30-37 the parable of the Good Samaritan.
After a traveler was robbed, beaten and left for dead, two religious leaders pass by and saw him and left him in the same condition. In fact, they went on the other side of the road to avoid him entirely.
However, verse 33-35 of Luke chapter 10 states
Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.
They are several lessons in this parable, but as it pertains to Goodness as a characteristic of the Fruit of the Spirit, we’ll focus on two.
First, Goodness involves compassion. When we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, we will have compassion on those in need. These could be our family members, co-workers or complete strangers as in the above parable.
Secondly, Goodness involves investing our time and resources. The Samaritan interrupted his travel plans to treat and care for a complete stranger.
He then incurs several expenses by using his oil and wine for the victim wounds and paying for the victim’s lodging as well.
These characteristics are a product of the Holy Spirit’s work in a life submitted to God and his plan. Just as a tree bears fruit by means of God’s silent work behind the scenes, we produce this fruit of the Spirit by means of God’s power working in us.
Our part is to surrender our lives to him. When the Holy Spirit begins to bear this fruit in our lives, other will see our light shining and come to inquire about our Lord and subsequently, God will be glorified.
In other words, let your light shine that others may see your GOOD works and come to glorify your father who is in Heaven. Matthew 5:16