Trust in the Lord, and do good. (Psalm 37:2 ESV)
The Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
We use the word, “good” a lot. That was good cake. That’s a good temperature. You did a good job. What a good dog! I am in a good relationship. That worship service was good. It felt good to pray. God is good.
What is a common thread throughout all of those goodnesses?
If something is actually good, and not simply an expression of personal taste, we are told by God in Scripture to do that thing. Trust in the Lord, and do good, says the Psalmist.
But Jesus also notes that no one, other than God Himself, is actually good. (Mark 10:18)
How can we do, or be, good? It is an impossible task.
But God gives His people the fruit of the Spirit, goodness.
Even beyond the connection in the English language, goodness is connected with Godliness.
And Christians, made new in Christ, are able to grow in Godliness.
To be more like God… the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
When given the choice between doing something good, or something not good, we can choose to do the good. That does not mean we will be sinless. But we can do good, because it is a fruit, a result of Our motivation might still be incorrect, the details of our good act might be imperfect, the result of our goodness might fall short.
But even though, or maybe because, God alone is good, God’s people can do good.
He teaches what good choices look like in His Word. He displays His example of goodness in our lives. His Spirit nudges us, shows us, and teaches us what goodness is.
We can, surprisingly, do good!
Because goodness is a fruit.