The Fruit Of The Spirit - Goodness Series

The Fruit of the Spirit - Goodness

Scripture: Galations 5:22-23

22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23. gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (NASV)

Introduction

Thus far we have examined the Fruit of the Spirit and it’s manifestation in the life of the believer. We have looked at love, joy,peace, patience or longsuffering and gentleness.

Today I want to continue to examine with you the manifestation of Goodness.

We must always remember that:

•Salvation is not reformation but regeneration.

•Changes in us are not due to harder efforts on our part but to indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit

•The transformation in our lives is not due to our striving, rather by our surrendering to the Work and Presence of the Holy Spirit in us.

I.Goodness Defined

a.Difficulty in defining goodness

i.Mom & Dad tell us … be good

b.The online dictionary (www.dictionary.com) defines goodness thus:

i.the state or quality of being good.

ii.moral excellence; virtue.

iii.kindly feeling; kindness; generosity.

iv.excellence of quality: goodness of workmanship.

v.the best part of anything; essence; strength.

vi.a euphemism for God: Thank goodness!

—Synonyms 2. integrity, honesty, uprightness, probity. GOODNESS, MORALITY, VIRTUE refer to qualities of character or conduct that entitle the possessor to approval and esteem. GOODNESS is the simple word for the general quality recognized in character or conduct: Many could tell of her goodness and kindness. MORALITY implies conformity to the recognized standards of right conduct: a citizen of the highest morality. VIRTUE is a rather formal word, and suggests usually GOODNESS that is consciously or steadily maintained, often in spite of temptations or evil influences: of unassailable virtue; firm and of unwavering virtue. 3. benevolence, benignity, humanity. 4. worth, value.

—Antonyms 1. badness, evil.

c.Goodness In The Scriptural Sense is an inclusive quality that encompasses several qualities such as benevolence, love, mercy and grace.

i.Benevolence speaks of the disposition to promote happiness

ii.Love speaks of having desire and taking delight

iii.Mercy is to show kindness towards the miserable

iv.Grace is to exercise love towards the unworthy

d.Goodness is an old Anglo-saxon word

i.Carried the same connotation as God

ii.God was considered good and goodness considered as belonging essentially to God

iii.It was just as valid to say God is good as it was to say God is Love

iv.God places a very high value on goodness

e.The Worlds view of goodness

i.Is often the direct opposite to that of God’s

ii.World often devalues, depreciates goodness

1.belittling, or deriding those who would seek to serve God

2.Calling them “do-gooders”

3.A very hurtful and cruel name used is “goody-two shoes”

iii.This should really not come as a surprise since the goodness of God and the evil of the enemy of God areametrically opposed

iv.They are exclusive to each other

v.Good & Evil are locked in battle one against the other –

vi.But remember – “ultimately the goodness of God will prevail over evil. Love will overcome despair. Light will dispel darkness. Life will supplant death” (A Gardener Looks At The Fruits Of The Spirit., pg. 140)

vii.

II.Declared

a.The Scriptures declare the Goodness of God

i.Ps 25:8 Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.

ii.Ps 27:13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.

iii.Ps 31:19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!

iv.Ps 33:5 He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

v.Ps 68:10 Your congregation dwelt in it; You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor.

vi.Ps 107:8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

vii.Ro 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

viii.Ro 11:22 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

III.Goodness Demonstrated

a.Ro 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

b.Remember the four words – benevolence, love, mercy, and grace

i.Benevolence speaks of the disposition to promote happiness

1.2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

ii.Love speaks of having desire and taking delight