Distinct Goodness in Christ

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)    
     Passage: Psalm 113:1-9

         A little boy prayed before getting into bed, “God, help me be a good boy. But if you can’t, don’t worry. I’m having a good time like I am.” Being good is a trait that includes living with virtue, behaving in a responsible and kind way that is beneficial to others. People can choose to act with goodness because they are created in the image of God, but there is a goodness that is deeper and more distinct. It is the goodness in Christ that is one of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit.

In his letter to the believers in Rome, Paul wrote, “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” (Romans 15:14) Their goodness was not a result of their own effort. It was already in their lives because of the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. As a believer, you are full of goodness. The source of that goodness is Jesus and the motivation for living a good life is to glorify God and work with Him to build His Kingdom. That makes goodness distinct and it is a characteristic that God wants to be seen in you.  

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)