 Goodness just sounds like such a sweet fruit of the spirit when it rolls off the tongue. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2nd Peter 1:5-8 At my Dad’s house we have a set of blocks that has stood the test of time. They are at this point probably 40 years old. Not only are these blocks good quality, but if you start off with a good foundation whatever you build is very strong. This verse reminds me of building blocks; you start by having faith, add goodness, and then lots of other things can be added! Goodness can produce effectiveness!
The definition of goodness from Easton’s Bible Dictionary is, “ in man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right or wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good.” One thing is certain, I don’t want to be passive. I want to do what is right and keep pressing. Sometimes, fleeting moments of weakness make it easier to do the things we shouldn’t and we make poor choices. I want to keep moving forward on a path that God desires me to be, with an overarching theme of goodness. While we can look at the concept of goodness from a very morally right or wrong stance we can also think of the simplest of things such as not being rude. There is an old saying, “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar”. Simply put this means you will get more accomplished by being sweet or having goodness than with acidity or bitterness. This is your grandmother saying, “Don’t be rude!” So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. Romans 15:14 Strong’s definition for the greek word used here that is translated to, “of goodness” here is virtue or beneficence. When I think of beneficence, I automatically think of my training as a counselor. We are trained first to do no harm and also to come alongside others as they journey toward healing. The definition of beneficence is, “the quality or state of doing or producing good; the quality or state of being beneficent”. When interacting with others I want:
...so that I can be effective! Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this beautiful day. Thank you for the blessings I see you have provided me with and also the ones that sometimes go unseen. Help me to remember goodness in my walk with you and as I walk alongside others. Help me to continue to build on the foundation you have laid for us in scripture and the character strengths we are to exhibit. Help me to keep my eyes open and to listen attentively for opportunities to show others goodness. In Jesus precious name, Amen Heather Lynch
1 Comment
|
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed