“But the fruit of the Spirit is…goodness”. This fruit obviously is closely related to kindness, actually we can look at goodness as kindness in action; indeed all of these fruit are related to each other, they are the fruit of the Spirit (singular) not fruits (plural) with each manifestation working together with the others to produce the whole fruit. The Greek word that is translated goodness here in Galatians 5:22 is a rare word carrying the dual message of both being and doing, or a life-state and a life-style. Since it is the fruit of the Spirit it can only be produced by Him, changing our inner being which by nature is not good; it is not us doing good activities in order to be good, rather it is doing good because we have been accepted by God and He has made us good; we may do a good deed without this renewal but it is not accepted as righteousness! Jesus said “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me” John 15:4. Acts 10:38 tells us that Jesus was anointed “with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good…” Then in Romans 13:14 we are told to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ…” which implies a growing process of becoming like Him. The seed of the fruit is implanted within us at the New Birth (John 3:3) without which there can be no fruit; I believe the change in us is both instant and a process, for while the seed is planted it must be cultivated; we must submit to its growth and “with purpose of heart (we) should continue with the Lord” Acts 11:23, purposely denying the impulses of the flesh and submitting to the work of the Holy Spirit! This fruit is intrinsic producing a Godlike state of being that manifests in kindness, goodness, and virtue, producing generosity and beneficence toward others.
His goodness
By Rose Hill
When in the Lord we do abide
And stay right close to His side.
Then His goodness in us will show,
And others our Savior will come to know.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.