Fruit Of The Holy Spirit Of The Holy Spirit – Goodness

The fruit of the Holy Spirit refers to the godly characteristics and virtues that manifest in the lives of believers who are fully submitted and living obediently with the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul lists these qualities as love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

These traits reflect Christ-like character and are the result of the Holy Spirit’s work within believers. He transforms them to live in a way that honors God and serves others. Unlike natural abilities or efforts, the fruit of the Spirit grows as believers cultivate a deeper relationship with God and submit to His will.

 

Fruit Of The Holy Spirit

In our previous studies of the Fruit Of The Holy Spirit, we learned about God’s supernatural Agape Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, and Kindness. Now we will study the next of the fruit of the Holy Spirit – Goodness.

Many times you will hear it said about a person “He is a good man”. Or “she is a good woman”. Normally this is based on good moral character, or on good deeds done by the person. 

Let us see what God’s Word says about the goodness of people.

 

The Fruit Of The Holy Spirit – Goodness

Goodness And Human Nature

God’s Word the Bible has a lot to say about the goodness of people. Or more accurately the lack of goodness in people. We like to think of ourselves and others as being good. Let us see what God says about human goodness.

“And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good ? No one is good except God alone.”  – Mark 10:18

Jesus responded when someone called him good, saying that no one is good except God. By saying this, Jesus was saying that all men are not good by nature. All men are sinful and fall short of the glory (and goodness) of God. No person is righteous or holy or good, in and of themselves.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  – Romans 3:23

“All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.” – Romans 3:12

“Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”  – Ecclesiastes 7:20

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”  -Isaiah 64:6

 

The Fruit Of The Holy Spirit

The Glorious Goodness Of God

Only God is good. And only God is righteous, holy, and pure. Righteousness, holiness, and purity are part of God’s great goodness. In all that God does and in all His ways, God is perfectly good.

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.”  – Psalm 145:17

There are other aspects of God’s goodness. Other characteristics of God that make Him good. These include God’s graciousness, His compassion, and His mercy.

“And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.”  – Exodus 33:19

 

God Wants To Bless People With His Goodness

God loves to bless His people. People that have repented of their sins, placed their faith and confidence in Jesus for salvation, and received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. These are the true children and people of God (John 1:12). God blesses His people, so they can be a blessing to others. And especially so that they can bless others to know Jesus personally as their Lord and Savior.

“I will make you into a great nation,and I will bless you. I will make your name great,and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse. And all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”  – Genesis 12:2-3 

The last part of Genesis 12:3 specifically refers to how God will bless and bring salvation to many people on earth through the nation of Israel and through Jesus.

 

Fruit Of The Holy Spirit

God Loves To Show His Glory And Goodness To People

God throughout history has shown His glory and goodness to people. No one is deserving of God’s goodness, and especially of His salvation. But part of God’s goodness is His mercy and graciousness.

“How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You. Which You have performed for those who take refuge in You.”  – Psalm 31:19

King David testified about God’s goodness, and how it would follow him and cover him all the days of his life. God’s goodness never changes and never runs out.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”  – Psalm 23:6

“O taste and see that the Lord is good. How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him !”  – Psalm 34:8

Fruit Of The Holy Spirit – Goodness

God’s Goodness Leads To Salvation

The main reason God wants to show His goodness to people is to glorify His name. And so that people can receive the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

“Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.”  – Psalm 25:8

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive. And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.”  – Psalm 86:5

“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance ?”  – Romans 2:4

God loves all people, and thus He longs to have a restored relationship and then close fellowship with all people. So it is important for us believers to display God’s love and goodness to others. Even to the difficult people in our lives. If we do not display God’s goodness through the Holy Spirit to others, we may actually hinder people from knowing Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

 

May God’s glory and goodness shine through us in this dark world.

Next week we will study the next of the fruits of the Holy Spirit – Faithfulness.

 

 

 

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