Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness

It’s easy to say “I’m good”, but what are we down deep when no one is looking. Those secret thoughts and actions that no one sees or knows about.   Are they good?  What would our family, friends, and acquaintances say if they knew?  Would they define these acts as good?

Yet, is good an act or feeling we can explain?

Dictionary.com defines goodness as:

Do you show goodness to others?

1. The state or quality of being good
2. Moral excellence; virtue
3. Kindly feelings; kindness; generosity
4. Excellence of quality
5. The best of anything; essence; strength

The Greek word chrestote is translated into English using both the words goodness and kindness.

Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament says, “Here the word seems to be used in the sense of beneficence, or a disposition to do good to others. The sense is, that a Christian must be a good man.”

So, what does scripture say about goodness?

1. “Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God’s goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”               Romans 11:22
2. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power.               2 Thessalonians 1:11
   

   What does your fruit reveal?

3. for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth                          Ephesians 5:9
4. And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Romans 15:14
5. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Would God consider you good?

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