Goodness
A few weeks ago, we looked at kindness as one of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit. Kindness is all about our heart. It is not simply a considerate or caring action, it is the intention of our heart to feel and be nurturing towards others. A kind person has a nurturing spirit and a loving heart, wanting only the best for others, as a parent desires for their child.
Goodness is distinct and separate from kindness. (See ‘For Further Study’ below for a comparison of kindness, goodness and gentleness.) In its essence, goodness is righteousness, the goodness of God. It means moral excellence and spiritual excellence. It means desiring all that God desires for our world and for people and acting upon that desire.
The technical Greek meaning of goodness is “benevolence” and it has the implication of action – an “active good.” When I first approached this study, my assumption was that kindness was more active and goodness was more a state of the heart. But the opposite is true. Kindness emphasizes the tender, soft heart of wanting good for others, whereas goodness more actively carries out those good intentions. Beth Moore states, “We have not only been called to the attitude or disposition of kindness, but also to energize that character into acts of good.” God intended our righteousness to express itself in good works. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 says it best: “That God would fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness in us.”
Goodness – everything excellent & profitable - even unpleasant things
Using God’s Word to define and explain God’s Word is the surest way to get to the truth of a matter. In Titus, God defines goodness as those things that are “excellent and profitable for everyone.” Titus 3:8 states: “Those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” God’s goodness will take whatever action is needed to bring about good in others and to bring about good for others – whether that action is subtle and kind or a sharp rebuke.
Doing good is not always fun or easy or pleasant, nor is it based on what is most popular or what will be accepted by others. God does not ‘water down’ his goodness for individual tastes. The following are a few examples of times when doing good was not pleasant.
· Paul has a thorn in his side to keep him humble. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
· The persecution of the church in Jerusalem which led to believers being scattered and preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth. (Acts 8:1-4)
· Paul persecuted by the Jews in Macedonia which led him to preach to the Gentiles. (Acts 18:5-6)
· Jesus died on the cross and the curtain to the Holy of Holies split in two, that we might enter into God’s presence. (Matthew 27:50-51).
· Jesus overturning the money and trade tables in the temple to cleanse it of greed and hypocrisy. (Matthew 21:12-13)
The last example, of Jesus overturning tables in the temple, is a great example of goodness expressed in a harsh rebuke. But, like Jesus, we must be careful to temper that rebuke with the kindness of the Spirit. Satan can most easily hinder a good work when we allow our tempers or attitudes to harden our hearts. The result then ends up being harsh criticism instead of constructive correction. Beth Moore says it this way: “without kindness, goodness becomes harsh and self-righteous. Without goodness, kindness becomes indulgent tolerance. Only the Holy Spirit can balance and grow these essential qualities in our lives. Remember, love, joy, peace, patience and kindness precede goodness! God has a very good reason for so often coupling kindness and goodness in His Word. Kindness provides the safeguard for misguided goodness. In this concept (of kindness and goodness) we see a major reason why God only entrusts the fruit of the Spirit to those filled with the Spirit. You must be yielded to God to be a proper vessel of confrontational goodness.”
Trained to do Good Works
Titus 3:16-17 states, “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
God’s goodness involves not only correcting or rebuking others for their good, but also receiving rebuke or correction for our own good. Learning, being corrected and changing as a result of the correction equips us for good works. We must stay in the Word and the will of God to carry out his good work in our lives. Whether we are doing good onto others or be training into righteous, it is not always pleasant, but as Beth Moore says, “God’s Word prioritizes goodness over gladness because God knows that goodness ultimately brings gladness.”
Appointed to do Good Works
Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God has a plan and a purpose for our lives that includes the mission (the good works) he planned for each of us to do. That could be a multitude of things, such as parenting, teaching, going on missions trips, being a light in your workplace, or standing up against abortion or some other cause. We each have a purpose, whether it’s changing the course of the nation or the course of one life.
God also has ‘everyday good works’ for us to do. God is interested in our daily lives. Many people are prone to think of daily life as mundane, but God has purpose in each day! We impact others positively or negatively each and every day – whether we purpose to or not. Perhaps your day includes having that difficult drug discussion with your teenager. Or lovingly confronting a co-worker about their negative attitude. Or standing up for someone being bullied. Or smiling at a stranger. Or slowing down on the way to the checkout counter at the grocery store to let someone else get in line ahead of you!
Everyday we have an opportunity to let the Holy Spirit work through us to bring God’s goodness into the world. Our part is to submit to his promptings. We can ensure we are thoroughly trained and ready for those opportunities by staying in his Word and making a conscience decision to set aside our will for His. Here is another nugget of wisdom from Beth Moore: “Goodness is never a personal issue, nor a personal platform, nor for personal gain. It is never the means by which we take up for ourselves or pamper our opinions. Remember, good works are always appointed, never assumed!”
Equipped to do Good Works
God not only prepares and appointments us for good works, he also equips us for them. When we are saved, we don’t go immediately to heaven. God leaves us here on earth to work out his purposes. We each have a specific mission and he has given each of us the ability to carry out that mission. 1 Corinthians 12:4 & 7 tells us that there are “different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit and that each person receives the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” The gifts of the Spirit, as listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 are wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous power, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues. Verse 28 lists these parts of the body of Christ: apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, gifts of healing, helping others, administration, and speaking in tongues. Romans 12:6-8 lists these gifts: prophesy, serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing to the needs of others, leadership, and mercy. Do you know your gifts and talents? If not, start exploring by taking a class on talents and gifts. Or study God’s Word on the topic. You could also start sampling different ways to serve God and notice which areas of service energize you.
Shrewd as Snakes
It may already be apparent, but I think it warrants pointing out that doing good and being kind does not mean being walked over. Many people have an unspoken conviction that being a good Christian involves being naïve to the ways of this world. But in Matthew 10:15, Jesus told his disciples, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Jesus calls us to the essence of kindness by commanding us to be as innocent as doves – to have a tender, gentle, nurturing heart. But he also calls us to be as shrewd as snakes. We can keep tenderness in our hearts while at the same time being mindful that there is evil in this world, and that there are definite ‘rights and wrongs’ and there are those who want to harm us.
But God never leaves us on our own. He has also given us this promise in 1 John 5:4: “everyone born of God overcomes the world.” Through the precious Holy Spirit we can increasingly become filled with the righteousness of God and spread that goodness throughout the world, starting with our families and friends and expanding into our neighborhoods and places of work and beyond. Everywhere we go and every person we encounter presents an opportunity to be God’s goodness in the flesh.
For Further Study - Comparison of Kindness, Goodness & Gentleness
The similarities and differences between kindness, goodness and gentleness can be hard to sort out. My favorite way of differentiating the three is to think of ….
· kindness as having the heart of a loving parent toward everyone
· goodness as righteousness
· gentleness as the meekness described in Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” God’s meekness is strength under control.
The following is a brief listing of different translations and definitions to help you find your favorite way to differentiate between the three.
Different translations of kindness, goodness, and gentleness
Kindness….some translations use ‘gentleness’…commentaries discuss a good heart attitude
Goodness…. always translated goodness...commentaries refer to love in action & sowing goodness instead of evil
Gentleness…some translations use ‘meekness’…commentaries refer to the right use of power & authority; power under control
The Message
Kindness a sense of compassion in the heart
Goodness a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things & people
Gentleness not needing to force our way in life
Greek translations:
Kindness benevolence; kindness
Goodness generosity; uprightness of heart and life
Gentleness humility; mildness of disposition
Commentary:
Kindness benevolence in action, as God treats us kindly, we do so to others
Goodness an uprightness of soul and an action reaching out to do good even when it is not deserved
Gentleness submissive to God’s Word and considerate of others when discipline is needed
Commentary:
Kindness affable; courteous; easy to be entreated when any have wronged us
Goodness readiness to do good to all as we have opportunity
Gentleness govern our passions & resentments; not to be easily provoked
Questions
- Discuss the difference between kindness, goodness & gentleness.
- Come up with a list of actions that are ‘excellent and profitable for everyone’. Be sure to include some examples of tender, subtle actions and some examples of actions that may be considered harsh.
- Do you have a hard time doing good for someone through the harsher actions, such as confrontation and rebuke? Do you have a hard time receiving that kind of goodness? Provide an example.
- Do you consider yourself balanced between being as “innocent as a dove” and as “shrewd as a snake?” Explain why or why not.
- Which gifts, talents and abilities do you believe you have? Share ways that you have used those gifts to bring good to others.
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