Fruit of Goodness
Last week, my 98 year old mother-in-law of 44 years left the planet to enter her eternal home in the presence of the Lord. Thus, we were out of state and with our extended family for the week. There was a beautiful service in which we were able to express what a special woman she was, because of the presence of the Lord in her life. We will miss her, however, we are grateful for the promises of the Lord and know that we will one day be reunited with her. We are back with you this week and will continue our study regarding the fruit of the Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit we are looking at today is goodness. To be a fruit of the Spirit, the goodness we speak of can only be imputed by God’s Spirit. Goodness, by the world’s standards depends on what is deemed good by a religion, society, or individual and is relative to these. God’s fruit of ‘goodness’ can only be defined or determined by God’s Word.
Merriam-Webster defines ‘goodness’ as the quality or state of being good. Synonyms are: righteousness, virtuousness or integrity.
Galatians 5:22 (NLT), “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…” The Greek word translated “goodness”” is agathosune. Agathosune is strictly unique to scripture and is used only four times to describe goodness which comes from God. According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, it means ”beneficence, kindness in actual manifestation, virtue equipped for action, a bountiful propensity both to will and to do what is good; intrinsic goodness producing a generosity and a God like state of being. It is a word used especially as a unique quality and condition as relating to believers, and the goodness that comes from God and shows itself in spiritual moral excellence (virtue”).
When we look at these virtues that are categorized as fruit , realize they are fruit in contrast to works. Only the Holy Spirit can produce them and they cannot result from our own efforts. As a fruit of the Spirit, goodness is a virtue of God and is what the Holy Spirit brings into our life as a seed which we see grow and mature. When we allow the Holy Spirit to fully control our life as a believer, He produces these virtues of God in us.
In Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, ‘goodness’ means “uprightness of heart and life, kindness and beneficence.”
Romans 15:14 (NIV), “I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Take note, the word ‘goodness’ in this verse is also the Greek word ‘agathosune’ and it demonstrates that this word is used especially as a unique quality and condition of believers, those who have the Spirit of God in them.
Ephesians 5:8-10 (NKJV), “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” ‘Light’ (phos) in verse 8 means: one in whom wisdom and spiritual purity shine forth and who imparts the same to others. The Greek word for ‘walk’ is peripateo meaning: to regulate one’s life or to conduct oneself. In the phrase, “Walk as children of light”, the word light means the saving truth embodied in Christ and by his love and effort imparted to mankind. According to Helps Words - studies light (phos) as used in the New Testament means ”the manifestation of God’s self-existent life; or divine illumination to reveal and impart life, through Christ.” Verses 9 and 10 go on to tell us, “for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth; finding out (or proving) what is acceptable to the Lord.”
These are really dynamic verses for us! As we allow the Spirit to control us and the fruit, or virtues, of God to mature in us, we will, by the Spirit, be able to discern what the acceptable, perfect will of God is!
Romans 12:2 (NKJV), “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The word translated “transformed” means, the change of moral character for the better. “Renewing” means a renewal, renovation, complete change for the better, effected by the Holy Spirit. “Acceptable” (euarestos) in the New Testament describes action or behavior that is approved by or finds favor with God because it aligns with His good and perfect will. Let’s plug some of these meanings into Romans 12:2 to gain a fuller and richer understanding of what that verse is saying to us. “Do not line your mind and character up to the thoughts and pursuits of the present time, but be changed in your moral character for the better, by the renovation, renewal, and the complete change for the better that is brought about because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, that way, we may prove what the good action or behavior is that is approved and finds favor with God, because it aligns with his good and perfect will.”
It is wonderful to realize that through the Spirit of God and the fruit He brings into our lives, i.e. goodness, He allows us to know that which God desires, designs or wills!
Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV), “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Doing good pleases God.
Galatians 6:10, (NKJV), “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Do good (what is upright, honorable, and acceptable to God) to all.
Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:9, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” We are exhorted to cling to what is good. Cling mean to join oneself to/ fasten firmly together to what is upright, honorable, and acceptable to God.
Titus 2:14 (NIV), “who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” He wants His people to be eager to do what is good! “Eager” means most eagerly desirous of, and zealous for. “Good” in this verse means: beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, praiseworthy, morally good, and noble. Are you eager to do what is good?
Lastly, we see in Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV), “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Praise God! As we grow, mature, and exhibit the fruit of goodness in our lives, others will take notice and glorify God.
Yes Lord! Let that be the desire of our hearts.
Till next time, continue to walk as children of light, let His goodness reign in your lives and let our behavior and actions direct other’s attention to You so that they will glorify You!