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Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Goodness is a word that we use in a lot of different ways, so it is little difficult to define. I had a good day is different than I had a good cry. We can move towards finding a definition by looking at how the word is used in the Bible.

In Genesis 1 God looks at all He has created and says, “It is good.”

Genesis 1:31 (NIV)
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning–the sixth day.

So, we might assume from that verse, that goodness is something that pleases God.

We also know from the Bible that God is good.

Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

What is it about God that is good? We know He is love, pure, holy, forgiving, generous and so much more. As His children, empowered by the Spirit, these characteristics should be true of us as well.

I think I have a definition that works well for goodness and allows us to live out ‘goodness’ in practical ways. Goodness is living by doing the next right thing.

What does goodness look like in our lives?

Doing what is best for others. This is what the Bible refers to as “good works or good deeds”. But in our culture, I would say that the prevailing attitude is more like “I’ll do what I think is right and what is in my own best interest!”

The Spirit produced fruit of goodness is the polar opposite of that cultural idea.

Romans 12:20 (NIV)
20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

What is the goodness (next right thing) in this verse? Feeding the hungry and giving the thirsty something to drink.

And what is the awesome outcome?

Romans 12:21 (NIV)
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This amazing fruit of the Spirit, goodness, doing the next right thing, is the way to overcome evil.

Let’s add to love, joy, peace, patience and kindness – goodness (living by doing the next right thing).

Spend some time meditating on these verses:

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the person of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Kindness is second on the list of how love is expressed in 1 Corinthians 13:4, but it shows up in the fifth spot of the “Fruit of the Spirit”. On the surface, kindness may seem like something that is pretty ordinary. But when you start to really think about it, kindness is remarkable and inspiring.

The dictionary defines kindness as: the practice of being or the capability to be sympathetic and compassionate.

That definition does not fully capture the meaning of the word in the Greek, “chrestos”.

The word derives from a verb meaning “to take into use” and has the basic sense of “excellent,” “serviceable,” or “useful.” It refers to something that is well suited for its purpose.

All of this is included in what the Bible refers to as “kindness.” It is more than a sweet disposition, it is also a serving and useful trait as well.

Jesus is as always our model for life and ministry and He models kindness to us. He understands our weakness:

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NIV)
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Jesus walked in our shoes so He can relate to us. Jesus will be gentle and kind to you because He knows why you are struggling. You can come to Him when you struggle!

When we understand other people and can walk in their shoes, we will treat them with kindness also.

I like to think of kindness as love in action.

Luke 10:30-37 (NIV)
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

The Good Samaritan went out of his way to help this person in need. Being kind will often include us going out of our way. You never know when your kindness could change the life of another person. Theologian William Barclay once said, “More people have been brought into the church by the kindness of real Christian love than by all the theological arguments in the world”.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The fourth “Fruit of the Spirit” listed is patience. Patience is allowing God to do what He says He is going to do. We often say things like “patience is a virtue” and “good things come to those who wait”. While we might say those things, we don’t usually live like we really believe it. We tend to be pretty impatient with people and with things that seem to keep us from having what we want when we want it.

We might think impatience is a quaint little quirk in our character, but its just another indicator that we are out of step with the Spirit.

We need to understand that learning to wait is part of God’s plan. God is not on “human standard time”. He is eternal and He is not in a hurry. God wants the fruit of patience to be developed in our lives. Patience is so helpful in realizing that the world does not revolve around us. It is His story.

James 5:7-8 (NIV)
7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Depend on the Holy Spirit to produce this fruit in your life, by yielding the control of your daily life and each situation to Him, allowing Him to be patient through you.

Colossians 1:10-11 (NIV)
10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully

So, during this week, let’s keep our eyes open for opportunities to grow – not only in love, joy and peace, but also in patience!

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.