The fruit of the Spirit (VI) Goodness

The dictionaries variously define goodness as integrity, honesty, the quality of being morally virtuous, kind (so there is overlap with other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit), helpful and honest, righteous. Goodness, as defined by the Bible involves not only behaviour, but also in avoiding the opposite, evil. And for the Christian, it is important that all these terms are defined Biblically. In particular the Bible speaks of those who “Call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20). This phenomenon is alive and well, and living on planet Earth!

I once again, I am grateful that these qualities are described as fruit of the Spirit, and that they flow out of our vital connection to the Lord. In particular we are not to strive to attain these things. We do, with the help of the Spirit, need to put their opposites to death (Galatians 5:24; Romans 8:13). And this too, flows naturally out of our connection with Him. In particular in the Romans reference it says “If by the Spirit, you put to death the deeds of the flesh you will live.” Note that it is (a) by the Spirit, but it is also (b) us (you in the verse). So it is all about cooperation, surrender and obedience!

One of the advantages of allowing the Spirit’s work in our lives, is that we get to feel good about ourselves. We even get to like ourselves! There is of course a danger here, and that is the danger of becoming self-righteous. Of course as I keep saying, we do have a part to play in all of this, and we need to learn to say with Paul “I, yet not I but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). And we need to ever be on guard about thinking that we have arrived, because “Let he who thinks he stands, take care lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Father, it is true that only God is good (Mark 10:18), so in a sense the goal of being good is unattainable. We are however commanded to be holy because You are holy (1 Peter 1:16), and so we are to aim for goodness, again not striving for it, but surrendering and dying to to self. And it is the aiming for such things that is an essential part of Your transforming power in our lives. And whatever the progress, You deserve the honour and glory and praise in Jesus Name Amen