GOODNESS- Fruit of the Spirit

    “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” Psalm 37:3

            Goodness is mentioned as the sixth characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit and what does goodness here mean? The word ‘good’ is the most common word in our vocabulary used frequently that it almost lost its true meaning. Goodness is about seeking good and actively doing good deeds out of selflessness, and rejoicing over the benefits and blessings of others. 

           Goodness always purposes in the well-being of others, irrespective of our own selves. We are not called to just perform good works among others, but are called to do it with reverence to God and with all our heart and mind; for God sees our innermost intentions. Goodness doesn’t seek appreciation and applause. One of the most quoted examples of goodness from the Bible is the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan earned the prefix ‘good’ by being selfless and exhibiting godly love and mercy through this good deed towards the injured stranger. 

           Goodness is Godliness. The most perfect example of goodness is the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ ministry and His sacrificial death on the cross exhibits God’s goodness towards mankind. God is good all the time and His goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life. And God wants each of His children to grow in the fruit of goodness, fulfilling the will of God. It is obvious that we in our humanness cannot achieve the godly standards of goodness just by our mere deeds, but it is possible only by the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit who generates goodness from within our hearts. Let us render our motives and works unto Him and grow in goodness. Amen!