Fruit of the Spirit: God is the Source of all Goodness
At the base of Mount Sinai, Moses talked with God, begging for his presence to accompany the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land.
Essentially, Moses says to God, “If you don’t go with me, then please don’t make us go.” The Lord reminds Moses that he was chosen for a reason and that he found favor in God’s sight.
“Please show me your glory,” Moses says.
The Lord answers him: “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord'” (Exodus 33:12-19). Moses encounters God’s goodness pass before him, and it brings him to his knees. Then he hears God say: “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Exodus 34:6-7).
God is the source of all goodness.
God’s goodness contains all good things — generosity, faithfulness, mercy, grace, and love. This is the same goodness that Jesus embodied when he walked the earth. It’s the same goodness that the Holy Spirit produces in us as we grow in Christlikeness. And it’s the same goodness Moses experienced as the Lord’s presence passed by him. His goodness is power.
When Paul talks about goodness as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), he’s not just talking about good deeds. Of course, Jesus did good things — he healed and forgave people! But his outward goodness was an extension of the heart of God. Not only did he do what was good, but he also did what was right. So goodness in our lives means more than just doing good deeds; it means transformation on the inside.
The fruit of goodness is the result of hearts changed by the Holy Spirit.
Not only do we see outward expressions of goodness (good deeds), but we also recognize goodness produced on the inside — goodness in our thoughts, desires, and attitudes.
Like Moses, God’s perfect goodness brings us to our knees in repentance and leads us to live lives that reflect him. Our hearts transform to become more like his.
The goodness of God reaches the outcast, the poor, and the needy. The goodness of God reached us when we were trapped and dead in sin.
The goodness of God is the gospel.
How do we live out goodness? We live gospel-centered lives. As we become more like Jesus, his goodness will draw others to himself. We allow our minds and hearts to be transformed by what Jesus did for us on the cross — the pure outpouring of God’s goodness toward humanity. Through this transformation, our lives are a reflection of his goodness and grace, and the power of the cross and resurrection.
How have you seen God’s goodness transform your life? Let us know!