The Fruit of the Holy Spirit - Pt. 7

 

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:17-22 ESV)

 

The next fruit of the Holy Spirit is “goodness.” It may sound like this is merely a synonym of kindness which the apostle Paul listed previously. It is not the same at all. It naturally accompanies kindness, but it stands alone as a key strength in the believer’s life. Goodness can be understood as a state or quality of being good, encompassing moral excellence, virtue, and often kindness and generosity. It's about acting with selflessness, prioritizing the well-being of others, and reflecting a strong moral compass. Goodness is more than just doing what's right; it's about having a positive and compassionate heart. Goodness involves striving for high moral standards and acting with integrity. It's about cultivating virtuous qualities like kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and courage. Goodness is about prioritizing the needs and well-being of others before our own. Goodness often manifests as acts of kindness, compassion, and understanding toward others. It's about making choices that align with what is considered right and ethical.

 

Look again at our reading today.  Jesus’ reply to the rich man here is full of surprises. First, in response to being called “Good teacher,” Jesus says, “only God is good.” Jesus was not saying He was not God. He answered this way because the rich man saw him as just a man—a good man, but still just a man. As the rich man stood before Jesus, he was also confronted with the fact that he himself was just a man and not as good as he had thought. This calls our attention to the gift of God in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. With Him, we now have the ability to be all that good describes. How good are you?