Fruit of the Spirit - Goodness

This week we are on the sixth Fruit of the Spirit, which is goodness.   “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” – Gal. 5:22. 

Goodness or good means something has fulfilled its purpose or expectation.  I think here in Galatians it’s talking about doing good toward others.  A truly good person does whatever is necessary to right a wrong.  Jesus is a good example of this.  Goodness is love in action.

God is good.  He is good to us in spite of everything we have said and done.  He has made us good not by our own efforts, but by what Jesus accomplished on the cross.  His goodness makes us want to do good works. 

“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.  Anyone who does what is good is from God.  Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” – 3 John 11.  Goodness doesn’t mean you are perfect, but rather that you reflect the integrity of God in you. 

The Christian is in a different position from other people who try to be good.  They hope by being good, to please God, if there is one - if they think there is not, they at least hope to deserve approval from others.  A Christian thinks any good he does comes from being Christ-like inside himself.  He doesn’t think God will love him just because he is good, but that God will make him good because He loves him (C.S. Lewis).

Use the talents and gifts God has given you.  You can affect others with your gifts.  Are you a teacher, a musician, a writer?  Maybe you are good at encouraging others.  Maybe you have great compassion and love for your fellow man.  If so, you will touch many lives.  Put those talents to work and help others.  Don’t be selfish.

What talents and gifts has God given you?

How do you use your talents and gifts to help others?

The Lord’s goodness surrounds us every day, everywhere.  Stop and recognize it and thank Him for it.

Next time we will talk more about the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit.  We still have faithfulness, gentleness and self-control to cover.  Hope to see you here.

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Fruit of the Spirit - Kindness

We have been talking about the 9 Biblical attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit.  This week we are on the fifth, which is kindness or gentleness.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” – Gal. 5:22.  We should live “in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left” – 2 Cor. 6:6-7.

Kindness is a quality of being kind, an act of kindness, being of a friendly or generous nature, showing sympathy, mercy, empathy, or understanding, warm-heartedness.

Last time we talked about how many people are impatient and have short fuses.  People have lost the ability to treat others with respect and kindness.  Kindness is linked with love as is loving kindness.  Being kind doesn’t mean you are weak and it doesn’t compromise the truth.  It’s a manner of speaking and acting.  It’s an attitude.  It comes from an attitude that everyone around you is worthy of being treated well – even yourself.  Stop being angry with yourself and forgive yourself, and be kind to yourself.

Kindness puts others at ease telling them you are not out to do harm, which allows people to feel safe around you.  We are to do to others as God has done for us (Eph. 4:32).

God has shown us kindness.  We were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to sin, envious, hateful – just to name a few.  God sent His Son, Jesus to save us not on the basis of our deeds, but according to His mercy and by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:3-7).

Since God is kind, the follower of Jesus is to be kind.  That’s part of being holy.  We are to treat people with respect, use gentle words, provide a helping hand to the elderly, and help the needy.  Do random acts of kindness.  Give them a little taste of God’s love.

“I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.” – Lev. 11:44.

How do you show kindness to others?

Are you words gentle or harsh?

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered – Love them anyway.

“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Col. 3:12-13.

Kindness is a growth process as you let the Spirit live in you and remain in Him.  Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5. 

Kindness demonstrates Christ to the world.  So practice kindness - Practice, Practice, Practice.  If we are willing, the Spirit will enable us to respond in love and kindness. 

Next time we will talk more about the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit.  We still have goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control to cover.  Hope to see you here.

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Fruit of the Spirit - Peace

The third characteristic of the Fruit of the Spirit is Peace.  Peace is being in a harmonious relationship with God.  Is your inner person wrecked with anxiety and worry when everything falls apart?  Or can you rest in God’s peace?  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” – Gal. 5:22. 

Jesus came into the world to bring us a full relationship and restoration with God.  It cost him His life.  Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we have hope and a future.  When in Christ we are able to relax and be at peace in the middle of the confusion and trials of life.  We are able rest with assurance and have peace.

Jesus gave us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-19, 27-28).  He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27

Believers are to be anxious for nothing.  God promises to guard our hearts and minds.  It is a peace which transcends all understanding (Phil 4:4-7).  That is it is a peace which the world cannot understand.  Its source is the Holy Spirit of God.

How do you exhibit peace in your life?

Do you have a peaceful attitude?

How can you make peace function better in your life?

We have peace by surrendering and yielding ourselves to God’s control (Is. 26:3, Matt. 5:9).  Once we have real peace with God we will be able to make and keep peace with others.  With the Holy Spirit living inside you, you are able to experience the peace of God.

Is your inner person wrecked with anxiety and worry when everything falls apart?

Or can you rest in God’s peace? 

There is no peace for the wicked; however, for believers it is available every time you pray and leave your concerns with God.  Our lives are filled with worry, stress and even fear.  Biblical peace is opposite of all these feelings.  It is resting in God as we remember who He is and trust in Him completely.  There is nothing like the peace of God.  It’s real and never ends, which is very different from the world’s peace.  We can experience God’s peace through the storms of life by remembering who He is and letting Him have control over every part of our lives.  So when going through life’s storms remember God and trust in Him and He will give you peace.  Spend time in prayer and praise God for the fruit of the Holy Spirit – peace.

We are also to be peacemakers.  To be a peacemaker you have to know the Peace Giver.  Mother Teresa said to thank God for His gift of peace.  Preach the peace of Christ as He did.  Show peace to others.  It starts with a smile.  Smile 5 times a day at someone you don’t really want to smile at – do it for peace.  Radiate the peace of God to rid the world of hate.  (Mother Teresa)

Are you a peacemaker?

Do you know the Peace Giver?

Next time we will talk more about the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit.  We still have patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control to cover.  Hope to see you here.

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Fruit of the Spirit - Patience

There are 9 Biblical attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit.  In this lesson we will talk about the fourth, which is patience or longsuffering.  These attributes characterize all who truly walk in the Holy Spirit.  All Christian should be producing these in their lives.  We are “being strengthened so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father…” – Col. 1:11.

Definitions for longsuffering:  Patience, steadfastness under provocation, endurance, ability to endure persecution and ill-treatment.

Patience is one of the most difficult areas of a Christian’s life.  Our lives are constantly changing and testing our patience.  Because God is patient, Christians ought to be patient.  Patience is one of God’s attributes.  We often pray for patience.  God has been waiting patiently wanting to give us His patience even before we ask.  God is patient and He desires to give us this quality.  To be patient is to deal lovingly and kindly to those around us.

Patience produces unity in the church, loyalty to your country, harmony in families and community.  It comforts.  It has humility.  It teaches us to forgive.  Patience is being calm and without anger.  Patience waits and is never in a hurry.  Patience has self-control.

Do you have self-control in all circumstances?

Are you humble?

Do you always in a hurry anger?

Do you get angry often?

When we pray for patience, do we really mean it?  We ask God for something and can’t wait until He grants our request.  Remember God’s timing is not our timing.  God may answer our prayer today, tomorrow or next year.  It may even happen long after we have left this life.  We just need to trust God and wait on His timing.  He knows what is best.  God is not in a hurry so why should you be?

Waiting is not easy.  Wait in prayer.  Call on God and plead your case.  Tell Him your difficulties.  Express your confidence in Him.  Then wait in quiet patience.  Don’t complain as Israel did against Moses and never wish you could go back.  Pray that God’s will be done, not yours.

“Patience is not passive: on the contrary it is active; it is concentrated strength.” – Bulwer

Patience is the ability to accept disappointment or delay.  We should smile at setbacks and respond with a pleasant spirit.  Don’t be like others around you who curse and complain.  

Many have short fuses and it take very little to set them off.  There is road rage on the highways and even murder because tempers are lost.  Just be calm, cheerful and relaxed.  It’s not the end of the world.  It’s not life and death.  Have patience in all things, especially yourself.

Do you have a short fuse?

When disappointed, do you get frustrated and angry?

Next time we will talk more about the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit.  We still have kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control to cover.  Hope to see you here.

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Fruit of the Spirit - Joy

The second characteristic of the Fruit of the Spirit is Joy.  Joy is a Christian’s word.  Happiness is the world’s word.  The New Testament doesn’t use the word happiness or even promise it.  It uses the word joy.  Happiness is the result of what happens.  Joy comes from deep inside.  It is a spring that never runs dry, no matter what happens.  Only Jesus gives joy.

What is joy?  Joy is the reaction when you are set free!  Jesus did that when He died for us on the cross.  Now we don’t have to pay the price for our sins.  Jesus paid it for us.  So there should be joy in our hearts.  We should live like we are joyful.  Be thankful for the freedom we have and the many blessing we have in this life.  We have joy in God’s grace.  We don’t deserve what he did for us.  If we got what we deserved, we would never, never see heaven.  Doesn’t this make you joyful?

It’s hard to be joyful in the hard times, but we should have joy knowing that God is with us through them.  God uses every trial to help you become stronger in your faith.  No matter how bad things get in this life, God can still heal and deliver us.  He can still restore us, if we are willing to work with Him.  God can restore our joy in Him.  The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  Listen and work with His Spirit and He will release joy in you.  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” - James 1:2-4.

The Bible says many, many time to “rejoice”.  To rejoice means have joy and be joyful.  We are commanded to be joyful.  God is on our side and there is no reason we should not be joyful.  “Let all those rejoice who put their trust in you; let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them; let those also who love your name be joyful in you.” – Ps. 5:11. 

We have joy in many ways.  There is joy in prayer, worship, and in love.  We show joy in giving.  God loves a cheerful given.  Show gratitude to God and others by accepting everything with joy.  Never let anything fill you with sorrow and make you forget the joy of the risen Christ.  1 Thess. 5:16 says to rejoice always.

Be joyful singing and praising to God.  “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth; make a loud noise and rejoice, and sing praise.” – Ps 98:4.  You don’t have to carry a tune or have a beautiful voice to sing praises to God.  God looks at our hearts and He wants us to praise Him and be joyful when we do it. 

I love to sing in church and in the car with my radio.  I know my voice could be a lot better, but I sing joyfully from my heart and that’s what God wants.  Then one day when I get to heaven, God will give us a beautiful voice.  Until then He thinks my voice is beautiful and that’s all that matters.

Ways to live with joy:

Laugh a lot and put a smile on someone’s face.

Don’t let your thoughts get you down.

Be thankful in all things.

Strive for your goals and dreams - always have something to look forward to.

Be forgiving not only to others, but to yourself.

Develop healthy relationship with family and friends.

Do things that lift your spirits.

Be optimistic.

Lighten up and don’t be too serious.

Take time to rest and relax – take a vacation.

Pray, read your Bible, obey God, worship and praise God.

Never forget the source of your joy.

How deep does your joy go?

How do others see joy in your life?

How could your life change to be more joyful?

“Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

Come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

And his courts with praise;

Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

---  Psalm 100

Next time we will talk more about the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit.  We still have peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control to cover.  Hope to see you here.

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