39 min
08 Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness Wednesday in the Word
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- Christianity
Goodness as a fruit of the Spirit isn't doing random acts of kindness. Nor it is following rules to earn your gold star. Goodness as a fruit of the Spirit is an active pursuit of what is right and holy in both speech and action.
Key Points
* Goodness as a fruit of the Spirit is not doing random acts of kindness.
* Goodness is not following the rules to earn your gold star.
* Goodness is an active pursuit of what is right and holy in both speech and action.
* The way modern society defines goodness is a pale imitation of the fruit of the Spirit.
* Passage: Ephesians 5:1-12.
* Word: Strong’s G19.
Next: 09 Fruit of the Spirit: Faith
Previous: 07 Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
Series: Fruit of the Spirit
Goodness as a Fruit of the Spirit
In this series, we are searching for an understanding of the fruit of the Spirit. Today we'll be talking about goodness. We're exploring Scripture to see what Scripture says about these concepts, and therefore what Paul had in mind when he wrote the list.
I have argued throughout this series that the items on this list are not feelings. Rather, they are qualities that result from a profound shift in worldview. As the Spirit of God teaches us truth, our perspective changes. That new perspective changes how we act, respond and treat each other, and these qualities result.
Review
In the letter to Galatians, Paul refutes the argument of the Judaizers who claim that faith in Jesus is not enough. They argue Gentile believers must also keep the law. Paul spends most of this letter refuting that claim and arguing that faith in Jesus is sufficient for salvation.
In Galatians 5, where we find this list, Paul argues that law-keeping does not accomplish what it claims to accomplish. Law-keeping cannot make us holy because it doesn't change anything inside. We may strive to keep more laws, but inside we are still sinners.
Conversely, Paul argues that true moral transformation comes from the Spirit of God. God reconciles us to Himself because of Christ's death on the cross. Then He gives us His Spirit. His Spirit teaches us truth and brings about this genuine change. The items on this list result. In this series, we are on a quest to figure out what those items are. Today we're talking about goodness.
Goodness is a fairly simple idea. Think of the contrast between good and evil. But goodness is being nice to people. Instead, goodness is the pursuit of that which is right and holy as opposed to pursuing that which is evil, corrupt and against God.
Ephesians 5:1-4
In this part of Ephesians, Paul exhorts his readers to live in keeping with the gospel they claim to believe.
1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Goodness as a fruit of the Spirit isn't doing random acts of kindness. Nor it is following rules to earn your gold star. Goodness as a fruit of the Spirit is an active pursuit of what is right and holy in both speech and action.
Key Points
* Goodness as a fruit of the Spirit is not doing random acts of kindness.
* Goodness is not following the rules to earn your gold star.
* Goodness is an active pursuit of what is right and holy in both speech and action.
* The way modern society defines goodness is a pale imitation of the fruit of the Spirit.
* Passage: Ephesians 5:1-12.
* Word: Strong’s G19.
Next: 09 Fruit of the Spirit: Faith
Previous: 07 Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
Series: Fruit of the Spirit
Goodness as a Fruit of the Spirit
In this series, we are searching for an understanding of the fruit of the Spirit. Today we'll be talking about goodness. We're exploring Scripture to see what Scripture says about these concepts, and therefore what Paul had in mind when he wrote the list.
I have argued throughout this series that the items on this list are not feelings. Rather, they are qualities that result from a profound shift in worldview. As the Spirit of God teaches us truth, our perspective changes. That new perspective changes how we act, respond and treat each other, and these qualities result.
Review
In the letter to Galatians, Paul refutes the argument of the Judaizers who claim that faith in Jesus is not enough. They argue Gentile believers must also keep the law. Paul spends most of this letter refuting that claim and arguing that faith in Jesus is sufficient for salvation.
In Galatians 5, where we find this list, Paul argues that law-keeping does not accomplish what it claims to accomplish. Law-keeping cannot make us holy because it doesn't change anything inside. We may strive to keep more laws, but inside we are still sinners.
Conversely, Paul argues that true moral transformation comes from the Spirit of God. God reconciles us to Himself because of Christ's death on the cross. Then He gives us His Spirit. His Spirit teaches us truth and brings about this genuine change. The items on this list result. In this series, we are on a quest to figure out what those items are. Today we're talking about goodness.
Goodness is a fairly simple idea. Think of the contrast between good and evil. But goodness is being nice to people. Instead, goodness is the pursuit of that which is right and holy as opposed to pursuing that which is evil, corrupt and against God.
Ephesians 5:1-4
In this part of Ephesians, Paul exhorts his readers to live in keeping with the gospel they claim to believe.
1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
39 min