The Fruit of Truth - Goodness

When Paul wrote in Galatians 5:22 defining the fruit of the spirit, his intentions were obvious.  Just take a moment to examine Galatians 5:20-21 and you will see what he compared the fruit of the spirit to.  In his urging the church at Galatia to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh, he enumerates how fleshly walking looked.  What a list.  Can you think of a person who embodies these attributes? Sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery;  idolatry, witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy; drunkenness, orgies, and such like.  It is little wonder he said those that do these things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  It’s in light of this list that we consider “goodness” today.  So, just how does goodness factor into our attributes?  Isn’t it much like kindness?  Not really.  In comparison, kindness speaks of the attitude of our personality.  God is calling us to be kind, not crabby or “hot-headed.”  Goodness on the other hand speaks of how we reach out to others.   Goodness speaks of our generosity, charity, fairness, unselfish actions, self-sacrificing, compassion, sympathy and mercy.  When compared to the fruit of the flesh, goodness serves others while the fleshly fruit is self-serving.  Every day when we rise we are given a choice.  Are you going to exhibit the fruit of the spirit or the fruit of the flesh?  As Jesus said, “by their fruit you will know them.”  Choose wisely.  Blessings.

~Lamar