But the fruit of the Spirit is … goodness …
Summary: Goodness is a word that comes from the word “good,” but has a unique meaning.
If I say the word “fun,” what do you think of? Now, if I say the word “funny,” what comes to mind?
They are not the same words, even though one is based on the other. The first word, “fun,” describes the feeling we get while doing something pleasant. If you tell a friend about something you did, like going on a hike or attending a concert, they might ask, “Did you have fun?”
In a way, they are asking about the value of the activity. Did you enjoy it? Did it make you feel good? Was it worth doing?
The word “funny” is different because it means something made you laugh. It is like “fun,” but an expression of the kind of fun you are having. The word “goodness” is like that.
“Goodness” comes from the root word “good.” Like “fun” and “funny,” the two words are related but not the same.
The word “good” is so basic that it is difficult to define. It is one of those “You’ll know it when you see it” words. Like putting the right key in the right lock, something that is good works the way it is supposed to. From an external perspective, it describes how we look, what we do, and what we say. If it is pleasing to the eye and feels right to the mind, it is good.
Goodness is a word that describes a quality in a person or thing. How we use the word is a reflection of who we are. A godly person uses the word “good” to describe things that are godly. When a man comes up to Jesus and calls him “good teacher” (Mark 10:17), Jesus responds:
“‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good—except God alone.’” (Mark 10:18)
By saying this, Jesus points us to the source of all that is good, “God alone.”
When we recognize what is truly good, we are using the moral compass that God gives to every person as part of their original equipment. “Goodness” is doing the things that we know are good.
The tragedy of sin is that without God, we are left on our own to decide what is good and what is bad. Because only God is good, our idea of “good” might actually be bad. The Good News is that with God’s help, we can recognize what is good again. By the power of the Holy Spirit, goodness becomes part of our lives.
Application: Learn to recognize what God calls “good.”
Food for Thought: What do you think of when you hear the word, “goodness?”
This is going to sound “funny” but when I think of the word “goodness” I think of taking a warm, freshly baked cookie and breaking it in two, holding the two pieces apart from each other, and seeing the the gooey chocolate connect to the two halves. The cookie is so soft and warm, and one can practically put the two pieces back together and cannot tell that the cookie had been broken in two.
It may be an association I picked up as a child that has translated in my mind to just “knowing” that something is “good” by watching how it reacts to outside forces. Good in the sense of everything you would expect it to be, every aspect of it is the best it can get. Ehhhh, with cookies we know that isn’t always true, but in my mind the association is there.
I think in trying to translate this idea into practical terms for people, when we strive to hold to a state, mindset, or life that seeks “good” and seeks to do “good,” goodness is the Christ-like attributes that come oozing out when we open up our heart, deeds, time, or resources to others. Christ prepares us for this by building us up with “good” ingredients (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness) and warming us up to a “good” temperature (disposition).
Romans 12:9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Ephesians 5:9 For the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true.
Chris,
I love your example of goodness! Yum!! (Now I want a cookie!!)
I also like how you compare opening up a freshly baked cookie to opening our hearts to see what is inside.
Life can be hard and opening our hearts to others can be risky, but in Christ we have lots of “Yum” to share with others.
What do you think of when you hear the word, “goodness?”
When I hear the word “goodness” I think of a time or an event without trouble. A person who is always giving of themselves to others, asking for nothing in return. A person who is genuinely secure in exactly who they are, satisfied with all God has provided and seeks the same for others. Which leads me to thinking of my wife and being thankful for the Goodness of God who brought us together.
Thank you, Ron!
What a wonderful tribute to your wife!! 🙂
Was amazing watching this thought grow in my mind to the end.
Praise God for our Christian wives!
Ron