The Sixth Fruit of the Spirit - Goodness

Different roots produce different fruits.  Apple trees produce apples.  Orange trees produce oranges.

Roots in Jesus reflect His character.  When your life is rooted in Jesus, the fruit you bear is His (Galatians 5:22-23).  It happens out of the overflow of Him in you.

Goodness is the sixth fruit of the Spirit.  If God is good, and His life is in you, you must be good as well.  “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 106:1).

God’s goodness in and through us will do good to others.  “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).  Daily, we look for ways to do good to those around us.

But remember: doing good should always begin by being good.  And when we set our minds on being good for God’s glory, our behavior reflects His goodness within.  A good God living in us must produce good people.

The fruit of goodness also serves as a way to make peace with others.  “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).  Goodness then is a mercy gift that flows from God’s goodness in us.  We are then able to extend grace and mercy to others - even those who have hurt us.  We are able to fight life’s battles the way Jesus did.

Let your life be rooted completely in Jesus’s goodness.  When you do so, you will bear His fruit.

And do good unto others.

To whom is your good God calling you to do good to today?