It’s The Goodness Of God

But the fruit produced by Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.  Galatians 5:22-23 TPT

Holy Spirit pours forth nine separate fruit of the spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Most are easy to define. But the fruit of kindness and the fruit of goodness seem so similar, it can be difficult to differentiate between the two. The Bible lists them separately throughout the Scriptures and uses the two terms differently, so it’s important to take the time to discover the true meaning of each of these two fruits of the spirit and pray for clarity so it will become clear that goodness is the foundation for kindness. 

Think of goodness as a state of being. Scripture teaches that God is Good. 

Goodness isn’t just something He has, it’s who He is. 

Since we’re re-created in His image, goodness is who we are, too. (We just have to develop the fruit and then act on it!)

God’s goodness within us is what causes us to be kind. It produces kindness as its result. 

How do we develop goodness? By spending time with Goodness Himself. The more we understand how good God is, the more our life will be rooted in that goodness.

Goodness is a change within that comes when we are born again and then transformed by the renewing of our mind by studying the Word of God. 

Kindness is the action that comes from that place of goodness.

Psalms 107:8-9 TPT So lift your hands and thank God for His marvelous kindness and for all His miracles of mercy for those He loves. How He satisfies the souls of thirsty ones and fills the hungry with goodness!

It's the goodness of God that leads us, sinners, to repentance - it’s the goodness of God that is great news to people who are lost in the darkness of this world! It’s like a lifeline that draws us out of the darkness and pulls us toward the light. 

It's time to show the world how good God is by how we speak of Him and how we treat others with love and kindness. It’s time to be walking, talking examples of the goodness of God!

Psalms 86:5 TPT Lord, You are so good to me, so kind in every way and ready to forgive, for Your grace-fountain keeps overflowing, drenching all Your devoted who pray to You.

It’s good food for thought, wondering with God’s perspective, we view life from our personal point of time and space, but God views us from His heavenly throne in the light of eternity. 

We see ourselves as self-sufficient, self-important, and self-sustaining; God sees us as dependent, self-centered, and self-deceived. Our worldly wisdom has made us calloused and hard and it doesn’t come from God, 

James 3:14-17 NIV But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

There is a difference between wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. All truth is from God, whether it be scientific, psychological, philosophic, or religious. 

The truth in and of the Bible points us all to the cross of Jesus Christ. It is there that we find forgiveness of sins and the solution to the dilemmas and problems that face us both nationally and individually. 

The wisdom of this world, encouraged by Satan, is cynical of the cross, puts “self” first, treats goodness as a weakness and kindness as a catch phrase 

It is impossible for someone who does not know Jesus Christ as their Savior to understand how God, in His goodness, grace and mercy, can forgive sinners and transform lives. But He can and He does, and lives changed by Holy Spirit, lives walking with Jesus, become changed lives that can affect society for the glory of God’s kingdom and the salvation of others! That is amazing grace! What a purpose to live out! Being a piece of another persons salvation story! 

God says there is no hope for the world aside from laying our lives at the foot of the cross for Jesus Christ, For centuries the world has rejected God’s plan of redemption. Now, because of humanity’s refusal and rebellion, far too many stand on the threshold of eternity - to be forever separated from God’s goodness, His protection and love. 

1 Corinthians 1:18 TPT To preach the message of the cross seems like sheer nonsense to those who are on their way to destruction, but to us who are being saved, it is the mighty power of God released within us.

Kindness is such an important fruit of the spirit in our lives. And it is the light of Jesus we shine in a dark world. 

But have you ever noticed that when you’re tired or you’re experiencing times of great pressure, you start to feel like you’re running short on kindness?

When this happens, there’s only one thing to do. Run to Jesus! Talk to Holy Spirit - pray pray pray - He’s the Source of the fruit of the spirit in our lives. He’s the One who enables us to be gracious, thoughtful, and helpful to others. We certainly don’t do it by our own ability. 

That’s why Jesus said, “Come to Me.” 

Don’t look at the circumstances that have risen up against you. Don’t look at the people around you and say, “Well, they never help me. They don’t care anything about me.” 

When we are looking at circumstances and people, we are looking in the wrong place.

Look to the Lord! We can always get a fresh supply of kindness from Jesus because He has an abundance of it, and He’s eager to minister it to His people. 

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

He’s waiting with open arms, eager to help you, me, any one who seeks Him and invites Him in - yes Lord! Thank You! My friends He is waiting to be your way your truth - to pour out His mercy on us, and to lift the burdens off our shoulders. 

Don’t wait until you’re in a desperate situation to draw near to Him. Come to Him every day. ! Now!

Spend time with Him every morning in the Word and in prayer before you begin the day and see anyone else. When we live in continual fellowship with Him, nothing will ever be able to drain God’s peace, love, joy, and kindness from us. 

God’s Word is the best Book, written by our good God, to show us how to receive and walk in the abundance of His goodness all the days of our lives. 

This means that we receive His blessings in every area of our lives—spirit, soul, body, —and that we cheerfully get to share those blessings with others.