“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: …goodness…”

                                                                                                                           Galatians 5:22a

 

 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10

 

It's time for goodness!

 

“For goodness’ sake”… an expression we hear often, which in lasting literature, at least, appeared first in the Shakespearean play “King Henry the Eighth.” It quite literally means for the sake of general goodness, for the sake of decency. It was speaking of a very “generic” goodness. Today, this phrase has lost even its generic connection to the meaning of goodness. The phrase indicates a “giving up.” We hear something like “Oh for goodness sake, just forget it!” Goodness, as Paul related it in Galatians isn’t defined by either of these two usages…

 

By listing “goodness” in Galatians as part of the “fruit of the Spirit,” we understand that this goodness is something that is only produced by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is “God-produced,” not “man-produced.” This goodness more closely resembles righteousness. It refers to a moral goodness, uprightness, and becomes the motivation for a Christian’s good works.

 

The Bible tells us that no one is righteous or good within themselves: “There is none righteous, no, not one;” and “There is none who does good, no, not one.” (From Psalm 53 and Romans 3) We cannot produce a genuine goodness or righteousness under our own power. We can do good deeds, and we can act good in certain circumstances, but apart from God, it is not who we are.

 

In Isaiah it states that our righteousness is “as filthy rags.” Our goodness is tainted. Think about all the “good” things the world does, things that everyone ooos and ahhhs over: “Feed the World,” Live Aid, the Christmas song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid which raised money for the famine in Ethiopia, “We are the World” campaigns, and the list is truly endless. All of these are seen as really good things done by good people who care. But the truth is that no matter how good these things look, there are “selfish” ideas and agendas motivating them.

 

In Matthew 19:17, Jesus asked the rich young ruler, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” God is Good, and ONLY God! God’s goodness is pure! The motivating factor behind Holy Spirit produced goodness, in us, is pure, without selfishness or hidden agendas. We become good for “goodness sake.” We become good for God’s sake!... “finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”

 

Remember, the fruit of the Spirit is for reproduction purposes. It is to be produced in us, so that we in turn can display to a lost world what they need to see to draw them to Christ. It is a venue we use to plant seeds that we pray will produce a harvest. The section of fruit known as goodness, to be used in this fashion, is stated directly in Scripture: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) Our “good works” produced through the gift of goodness in us will point those watching to the Father. What “good thing” can we put our hands and heart to, today?

 

Reminder: We are known by our fruits… (Matthew 7:16a)