The Fruits Of The Spirit - Goodness

t is beyond doubt that one who is following the will of God is producing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). Jesus proclaimed in the parable of the sower, "The seed is the word of God" (Luke 8:11). Without the seed of the Gospel being planted in our hearts, there would be no Christians, and there would be no fruit of the Spirit. Since it is by the "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" that we know the way of God, we learn that "as many as are led by the Spirit of God (His teaching), are the sons of God" (Rom.8:l-2, 14).

Look At The Fruit of “Goodness”

Those who follow God are also the ones who bear "the fruit of the Spirit." The fruit we bear identifies whether we are "in Christ" who is "the vine" (John 15:l-6). Jesus aptly taught, "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit: but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit." (Matt 7:16-17). We must exhibit the fruit of "goodness" in our life, instead of envy and jealousy (I Cor 13), or we prove to be counterfeits and hypocrites.

Paul, who wrote to the Galatian Christians about the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5), also wrote to the Ephesian church (Eph.5). He said to them, "For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth" (Eph.5:9). Jesus, our perfect example, "went

about doing good" (Acts 10:38). Throughout the New Testament, Christians are commanded to do good. It is the way we let our light shine (Matt 5:16). It is to be done at every opportunity (Gal 6:l0).

We are taught that God's Word is the source from which we are "thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim 3:16-17). We are taught by the Holy Spirit, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom.12:21). Producing the fruit of "goodness," proves that we are "doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James l:22-25). But if "goodness" is missing, we prove (despite what we claim) that we are not living as Christians, and are not following the directive of the Holy Spirit!

Proof Of Goodness In Our Lives

To prove that the fruit of the Spirit called “goodness” is in our life, it must be seen in our thoughtfulness, truthfulness, sympathy, fairness, unselfishness, helpfulness, generosity, tolerance, and forgiveness. If we practice of the "Golden Rule," it will be evident in our actions of life (Matt 7:12).

GaryColley
172 Lakeview Dr.
McMinnville, TN 37110
Web: WWW.EECC.ORG