Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. ~John Wesley.
Goodness is more than just a state of mind, it’s a verb, an action verb. In the context of the fruits of the spirit, goodness is doing good. It is virtue, honesty, integrity and morality all rolled into one. And then given away to someone else.
Kindness and gentleness are similar in their Greek meanings, but the thrust behind goodness is even more aggressive. More importantly, the Bible speaks of the goodness of God over and over. And the psalmist even espouses: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life… ~Psalm 23:6.
If you want to be known for expressing goodness, you will be:
- Compassionate. Empathetic, charitable and sympathetic.
- A giver. Not just in small ways, but in unusual and fantastic ways.
- Selfless. You can’t be filled with goodness and be self-centered.
- Willing. Give of your time, change your schedule, be inconvenienced.
Jesus was a perfect example of goodness: How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil because God was with him. ~Acts 10:38
The scripture above provides another example of how walking in the spirit produces the actual fruit of the spirit. And you see throughout the Bible that goodness is a core trait of God. Demonstrating goodness is mainly walking in the Spirit and being God’s representative to His people.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. ~Psalm 107:8-9