GOODNESS
The moral quality of goodness is the fruit of the Spirit that prompts us to do
good deeds, while gentleness is the way we do them. Paul prayed that
God would...fulfil all the good pleasure of his good-
ness (II Thess. 1:11).
in the lives of the Thessalonians. God takes pleasure in bestowing the benefits of
His goodness upon His children. As we mirror the image of Christ, we will reflect
that goodness toward others. In fact, Paul said that the
Fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness [agathosune] and
righteousness and truth...proving what is acceptable
unto the Lord (Eph. 5:9-10).
Fruit is produced in goodness, as Jesus said, "Even so every good tree bringeth
forth good fruit" (Matt. 7:17). It is interesting that there are very few individuals
in the scriptures of whom it is said that he was a good man. One of these was
Barnabas. When the church heard that a revival had broken out in Antioch, they
sent Barnabas to the city. Luke records of Barnabas that
He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of
faith: and much people were added unto the Lord (Acts 11:24).
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