“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV)
“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6 NLT)
“His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3 CSB)
“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 NKJV)
The fruits of kindness and goodness are very similar. Actually, the two words are used interchangeably throughout the Bible. In Romans 2:4, some translations say that it is the goodness of God that leads you to repentance (changing the way you think), while other translations say it is the kindness of God that leads you to repentance. As I have pondered on this the Holy Spirit has revealed that kindness and goodness are two sides to the same coin.
Kindness leans into the attitude, or heart condition, that I have. Goodness is more of the outward action that I produce. The Lord shows His kindness to me by the good things that He does for me. Goodness is kindness expressed through actions. I think the most effective way for this fruit to be shared is through kind words and acts of goodness to those around me.
Picking up where I left off yesterday, there are times when goodness must be expressed by pointing out where someone needs to make a change before they harm themselves or others. On many occasions when my Mom told me to do something that I didn’t want to do she would say, “it is for your own good Eric.” Goodness does not always feel good, but it always ends in a good place. The fruit of goodness is kind of like the candy “Sweet Tarts,” or maybe “Now and Later.” If I am going to have a positive impact on the society in which I live I need to confront individuals, and ideologies, that are not moving us in the best direction. If I have not shown goodness in the character of my life my efforts will be in vain.
God is good all of the time. It is His goodness that changes my heart and mind to think and act more like Him. That is why I am sold out to…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 47: “I am a Fruit Grower in the Kingdom of Heaven (quality fruit to give away).” Part 7:Goodness