Fruit of the Spirit

6th Fruit of the Spirit:

Goodness In the ultimate context of God’s expectations, goodness includes the second aspect of morality, and that is defined by God. The third aspect is that in most situations the purpose or expectation involves some form of benefit. These three aspects are just what is found in a study of goodness in the Scriptures. By looking at the usage of this word in the circles of context of the fruit of the Spirit passage beginning, we can see these principles expressed. The circles of context from the far to the near are: the Greek culture, the Hebrew background of the Old Testament, the rest of the New Testament, the rest of Paul’s writings, and then Galatians itself. The Greek word for “goodness” is “agathosune”. Goodness following right after kindness seems to be closely associated with it. In fact, that same Greek word for kindness (chrestotes), translated goodness in the King James Version where it refers to the goodness and severity of God. To understand goodness, one must understand all the fruit. “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off” Romans 11:22.“good

Goodness is virtue and holiness in action. It results in a life characterized by deeds motivated by righteousness and a desire to be a blessing. It’s a moral characteristic of a Spirit–filled person. The Greek word translated “goodness,” “agathosune,” is defined as “uprightness of heart and life.” “Agathosune” is “goodness for the benefit of others, not goodness simply for the sake of being virtuous”. Someone with “agathosune” will unselfishly act on behalf of others. Challenging someone about a sin determines goodness. So, do giving to the poor, providing for one’s children, visiting the sick, volunteering to clean up after a storm, and praying for an enemy. The root adjective of this word, "agathos", was used in the Greek culture as our word good is used in the examples given above: for practical goodness in the sense of a good result, a benefit, or what we call a blessing; for moral goodness. Goodness is not a quality we can manufacture on our own. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” This certainly includes a life characterized by goodness. In allowing the Holy Spirit control us, we are blessed with the fruit of goodness. As others see our good works, they will praise our Father in heaven. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16 (NKJV).

Goodness does not die because it is defined, not by what man is, but by what God is. It lives on eternally like a self–sowing seed, and one harvest follows another. God is scattering this seed with a careful hand to produce the sixth fruit of the Spirit: goodness. A demonstration of God’s kind of goodness is called for in Galatians 6 where Paul appeals for gently and humbly ministering to others who are stumbling. We are to carry each other’s burdens and care enough to get involved with one another to prevent moral corruption and spiritual destruction. The fruit of the Spirit is goodness, which is the sixth fruit of the Spirit is goodness. Goodness is the generosity that overflows from kindness. Although goodness and kindness are similar, goodness is a more active term, which is often directed toward others in a benevolent way. The fruit here, means “beneficial results” of the good things that come from the Spirit’s indwelling. As the Holy Spirit works in our lives, our character changes. It is the action of helping others in need. We are to take action and become agents of God’s goodness in the world. When we see a need, we must meet it. When we see a hurt we must heal it. The virtue of goodness reminds us that we become the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit desires to use us as vehicles through which the goodness of God may flow.

Goodness involves going beyond the mere requirements. The fruit of the Spirit must continually be cultivated. We do not produce them once for all time. We need to sow to the Spirit continually, so goodness will be expressed in our lives instead of the old selfish qualities. If we concentrate and focus on envy, jealousy, lusts, worries, or fears we’re going to reap from them some very selfish evil fruit in our behavior and relationships. Even if, we explode all over someone and cause great harm rather than good, but when we sow to the Spirit by meditating on God’s qualities through the Word, we will bear good fruit of virtuous, generous, beneficial acts toward others. Now, we can help others experience God’s forgiving, restoring love in Christ through faith. We can also live a morally pure life according to God’s holiness. Bearing goodness means God can depend on me to be honest, repent of my sins, and turn away from evil. We need to continually seek to express this goodness in our responses and actions toward others.