Goodness and Faithfulness

Intro: We continue in our series on the fruit of the Spirit as Paul describes for us in , but examining goodness and faithfulness. Again remember that these are not commands, but symptoms of a life led by the Spirit of God, not the flesh.

Galatians 5:22–24 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Intro: We continue in our series on the fruit of the Spirit as Paul describes for us in , but examining goodness and faithfulness. Again remember that these are not commands, but symptoms of a life led by the Spirit of God, not the flesh.

I) Goodness

Derived from root good, that which is good in character, beneficial; so goodness is the state of being good in moral quality –

Galatians 6:10 ESV

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Only the good man can be good – (note that good in v.33 is from a different word, meaning fair or beautiful) – do good expecting nothing in return – – do good to edify others – , ;

Matthew 12:34–35 ESV

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

Luke 6:33–35 ESV

And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Romans 15:2 ESV

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Romans 15:14 ESV

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 ESV

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Goodness reflects one who rejoices at good and not at evil – – yet Israel did not – – nor did the Pharisees –

Amos 5:14–15 ESV

Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

Micah 3:2 ESV

you who hate the good and love the evil, who tear the skin from off my people and their flesh from off their bones,

Mark 3:4 ESV

And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent.

But God’s people must be good – ; , , ; – and refrain from evil – ;

Ephesians 5:9 ESV

(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:9 ESV

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Romans 12:21 ESV

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 13:3–4 ESV

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

1 Peter 3:10–17 ESV

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

3 John 11 ESV

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

This can only be accomplished by the power of God – ; ; – only the good man can be good

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

II) Faithfulness

Conviction based on persuasion, used more than 600 times in the NT – , ; ;

2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

for we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:11 ESV

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

Romans 10:17 ESV

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

This involves not only the conviction or recognition of a truth, but also the appropriate action associated with that truth –

James 2:14–26 ESV

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

It also implies consistency of action, which leads to trust – ;

Romans 3:3 ESV

What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?

John 20:27 ESV

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”

Trusting in God will lead to be trustworthy to God –

Romans 1:17 ESV

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

III) Goodness and Faithfulness

Good servants are good (beneficial) and faithful (trustworthy) – ,

Matthew 25:21 ESV

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Matthew 25:23 ESV

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Paul prays for the Thessalonian Christians that God will fulfill their desire for good and their work of faith with [His] power –

2 Thessalonians 1:11 ESV

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,

Concl: When we consider the result of being led by God’s Spirit, we will be beneficial and trustworthy to others. It is a wonder why anyone would not choose this in their life.