Word of the Week - Goodness (Expanded)
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
-Matthew 5:16
Goodness expanded – Last week I shared about the fruit of Goodness, what it is and what it looks like, see below. This week I want to expound on Goodness and further explore how we cultivate this spiritual fruit in our lives. We are currently in a series at COH on the “Fruit of the Spirit” and looking at each of the 9 fruits of the spirit. Last week Pastor Chris shared on Goodness. Here are a few key take aways from his message.
How do we live in Goodness – Goodness is a function of being made upright and righteous in Christ. It is being restored and redeemed to God’s original plan for our lives. Righteousness is a state of a person as they ought to be in areas of integrity, virtue, purity, rightness, and correctness in thinking, feeling, and acting. God desires for us to live free, purposeful, and blessed lives by Knowing God, Finding Freedom, and Discovering our Purpose so we can Make a Difference during our time here on earth.
Key to living in Goodness:
Relationship with God and other believers. It starts by saying “yes” to Jesus and surrendering our lives to Him, but that is just the beginning of the journey of faith and Goodness. God created us to live in fellowship with other believers and we will never get the fullness of God unless we are in meaningful relationships with others. Life change happens in the context of relationships; we are the sum total of our relationships. “A mirror reflects a man’s face but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses”. Proverbs 27:19
Living with honesty and being able to share what is going on within our mind and soul with others. The truth is that we all struggle with something, and we need others to help us get these things out of us so we can stay healthy and free. Confession is good for the soul. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”. 1 John 1:9 God is attracted to honesty not perfection. He loves it when we admit our flaws and come clean. We confess our sins to God for forgiveness and to others to receive healing. “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed”. James 5:16
Inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives daily to lead us and guide us. The Holy Spirit is our guide and source of power to walk in Goodness. The Holy Spirit tenderizes our hearts toward God and others. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws”. Ezekiel 36:26-27
We pray to the Holy Spirt to:
Show us – “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” Psalm 139: 23-24
Change us – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed, are being transformed into His image with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit”. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Fill us – “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit”. Ephesians 5:18
If we ask, the Holy spirit will put God’s Spirit within us and we will reflect the character and Goodness of God.
Have a great week enjoying and reflecting the Goodness of God!
Duane