The Fruit of the Spirit by Rick RennerSample

Goodness and Faith

Once when I was flying in the United States, I sat next to a wealthy businessman who worked with other wealthy businessmen to fund organizations and evangelical works around the world and advance the Kingdom of God. He told me, “Once we find them, we make it our business to fund them so they can operate without having to worry about raising money.”

When I thought about this man and the goodness of his heart, I was reminded of the word “goodness” in Galatians 5:22. “Goodness” is the Greek word agathosune, which comes from the word agathos, meaning good. But when agathos becomes the word agathosune, it means goodness in the sense of being good to someone. 

Acts 10:38 tells us that this fruit of the Spirit operated mightily in Jesus. It says He “went about doing good.” The words “doing good” are from the word euergeteo, which denotes a benefactor, a philanthropist, or one who financially supports charitable works. Jesus didn’t only perform supernatural works; He also cared for the poor, fed the needy, and used the resources He had to meet the basic needs of human beings. Meeting the physical needs of other people is an act of “goodness” that Jesus did and still longs to do through His people today. 

In Galatians 5:22, Paul also wrote about faith, the Greek word pistis. It conveys the idea of a person who is faithful, reliable, steadfast, and unwavering. This faith is so esteemed by God that it is listed in First Corinthians 13:13. It is an essential part of the eternal nature of God. 

The Bible tells us God is faithful and utterly dependable—He does not lie or change His mind. And Hebrews 13:8 tells us Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If this unchanging, constant, stable, and unwavering behavior is the nature of God Himself, it shouldn’t surprise us that when His Spirit is allowed to freely work in our lives, He makes us faithful and steadfast, just like God. 

Does the Holy Spirit have enough freedom to produce goodness and faithfulness in your life? Take a moment to pray and invite the Holy Spirit to begin producing these two powerful fruits of the Spirit in you today.