Goodness

1 Peter 1:13-19

Goodness is used in a couple of ways, one is “kindness” which we talked about this morning, since this fruit has already been listed then “goodness” is pointed in the direction of moral uprightness of the heart. This is an issue of the heart not of the outward! We all know that the outward does not tell the story, it is of the heart!

Moral uprightness, moral excellence, holiness, righteousness, all of these words scare folks!

Peter calls us “obedient children”.......

Easton’s dictionary defines it this a way: Goodness—in man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good.

An understanding of "goodness" as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) emphasizes God's sovereign work in transforming the believer into the image of Christ through the Holy Spirit.

"goodness" (kalosynē) refers not merely to moral uprightness but to active moral excellence, a zeal for truth and righteousness expressed in love and holiness. It’s not just being "nice," but being intentionally godly in word, deed, and motive.

Ephesians 5:9 “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)”

Jesus stated in His encounter with the rich young ruler, that no one is good but God! Jesus used the Greek word “agathos”, which means morally upright...same word use in Galatians 5..… “agathōsynē”....ag-ath-o-soo'-nay......

Matthew 19:16–17 “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”

The rich young ruler called Jesus Good and also asked what good thing he could to enter eternal life!

Not the way it goes, because our morality is based on either our fallenness or the power of God!

If our fallenness then it is not true morality! That is why Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

Morality, if you can call it that, by the human effort is stained with sin......Humanity is deformed by sinfulness and cannot produce moral uprightness but in appearance only, not in heart!

That all changes when the Holy Spirit of God comes in and now we are washed and regenerated by the Holy Spirit!

Then it is identical to God’s righteousness!

God is good and we have no capacity for good, so we must go to the Source! John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

All of the Fruits of the Spirit we have discussed are His Goodness!

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…”

Through regeneration and sanctification, the Spirit implants the capacity and desire to reflect God's goodness in our lives.

goodness is cultivated by:

Daily repentance and faith (turning from selfishness to Christ).

Meditation on God’s character (Psalm 34:8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” – “Taste and see that the Lord is good”).

Obedience to Scripture (Psalm 119:9 “BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” ).

Communion with the saints (Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” ).