Fruit of the Spirit Series

Goodness is the sixth principle in Apostle Paul’s fruit of the Spirit. Joy is the reward for doing good. One of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve found in God’s kingdom is righteousness. When I obey the Lord, goodness surfaces, and I discover an incredible jubilance. God fills my heart with love and grace in return for showing goodness.

The Pinnacle of Goodness

The pinnacle of goodness is God Himself. Everything was perfect in His six days of creation (Genesis 1:1-31). Indeed, He deemed it very good. The Garden of Eden exemplified His goodness when He created Adam and Eve. He provided a place where they received an abundance of His wholesomeness.

Even after Adam and Eve sinned and fell from His grace, He continued showing them sympathy. He wasn’t pleased with their disobedience, costing them life in the Garden (Genesis 3). But His love for humanity persisted, and we bear witness to this truth. God saved us, placed us in Christ, and shed the Holy Spirit into our hearts.

Psalm Thirty-Four, verse eight says:

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

God blessed us with the wisdom of His goodness. Yes, through our faith, trust, and abidance in Christ, our conscience awakens to His undeniable good nature. God’s flavor of goodness never sours. No, it tastes better every time we share it with others.

One of the Old Testament’s most significant examples of God’s goodness came through Abraham’s faithfulness. Abraham, commanded by the Lord to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, didn’t hesitate. Because of his obedience, God spared Isaac and, through His goodness, awarded Abraham a blessing of prosperity (Genesis 22).

Another tremendous Old Testament manifestation of God’s goodness comes through the life of Joseph. This story packs itself with the Lord’s incredible grace. Joseph, sold into captivity by his brothers, shows how God used evilness for good (Genesis 50:19-21). Notable, isn’t it?  

In the New Testament, God’s goodwill reigned when Christ walked on the earth. Every miracle Jesus performed showed our Father’s goodness even when Christ used boldness to highlight God’s truth; behind those harsh words, the good nature of the Lord shined bright. For it’s in Christ’s deity that God grants salvation.

After Jesus ascended back into heaven, His Apostles continued spreading the Gospel and sharing about God’s goodness.

Disciple Paul said:

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

Here we see our love for God brings forth goodness. Paul reminds us God saved us and gave us a holy purpose to show the world His divine existence. All things work for good when the Lord is our primary focus, including trials and tribulations.  

The Righteousness of Goodness

When God opens the door to His kingdom, the righteousness of goodness emerges. We know this truth because the Holy Spirit enters our hearts, and we gain insight into doing good. God wants us to be good, and the only way we can accomplish this significant attribute is through obedience.

Before goodness takes root, a transformation from darkness into God’s light must develop. Jesus makes this possible. Remember, salvation is the Lord’s gift anchored in His grace and coupled with faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). And when Jesus places the Holy Spirit inside our hearts, we become servants of goodness (Ephesians 2:10).

Obedience leads to righteousness, and the fruit of goodness starts to blossom. Nothing good comes from disobeying God. In fact, without Christ, sinfulness runs rampant, leading to self-destruction. But with the Holy Spirit, goodness becomes a welcome and joyful virtue. A life with God brings forth a life filled with love and full of good nature action.

Every time we practice selfless service to others demonstrates goodness. When we give to others without expecting a return, God takes notice and rewards us with love, joy, and peace. This incredible connection with Christ motivates us to live righteously and spread the Good News of salvation.

Other expressions of goodness are, praying for the well-being of others, encouraging people to seek God, picking up our cross, and walking in unison with Jesus. These Christian behaviors lead to a meaningful and worthwhile existence.

But the most prevalent act of goodness is love. Yes, love is God’s greatest commandment (Matthew 22:35-40). First, Christ shared that loving God above everything is our top priority. When our love for God overshadows our plan, we connect with Him in a profound and life-changing way. It’s in our affection towards the Lord that our lives move from one centered on self to a life focused on Christ.

Jesus’s second revelation on God’s greatest commandment is the love of others. Extending our Father’s love to those around us radiates Christ’s compassion. The goodness of loving others becomes noticeable with God when we show it to those we despise. Jesus made this known in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:43-48). So, when we love those who we deem as our enemies goes a long way in God’s eyes.

My Story

Like everyone, before God saved me, goodness didn’t exist. No, I couldn’t be good because sin dominated my life. I was powerless over the mighty force transgression had over my behavior. This sinful living brought forth resentment, fear, worry, and bitterness. My response to trials and tribulations wasn’t good because I showed anger causing emotional, mental, and spiritual harm to anyone who got in the way of my rage.

It brings me joy to let you know that God granted me redemption. I’m no longer a slave to sin because faith in Christ removed Satan’s grip on my life. This doesn’t mean I don’t sin. I do. But when I disobey and show God repentance, my ability to be good returns.

In my experience, I can’t be good consistently without a one-on-one relationship with Christ. Without a daily devotion to God through prayer and meditation, my ability to show goodness has limitations. But when walking with Jesus, the Holy Spirit opens my eyes to the countless opportunities God leads me to act out in goodness.  

As noted above, goodness is as much a part of God’s kingdom as food is to the nourishment of our physical existence. Without sharing God’s goodness, we deprive our spirits of Christ’s infinite flow of His daily bread.

Is goodness something that brings you joy?