Goodness is the state of being kind, virtuous, benevolent, generous, God-like in character and conduct. The word "goodness" depicts an individual who is a giver. Somebody walking in goodness is not a stingy person. They are benevolent.
Goodness is a display of God's character. He's always giving us His love, His mercy, His help from the Holy Ghost. He is giving us things, sending us people, sending us anointing. And when we walk in goodness, we become givers like God.
The flesh never wants to give up anything. In fact, the flesh loves two words "I" and "Me." The flesh accumulates all it can. You can have a whole bunch and someone else can have nothing, and the flesh will say, "Keep it just in case...." But God put in you His generous spirit. Down on the inside of you, you stingy thing, is a real desire to give and to be generous, and to help somebody else, and to bless somebody else, and to serve somebody else. And you won't be satisfied in your life until you do.
These fruits are character. Show me a man with character, and I'll show you a man that is going to win. Now, having character doesn't mean that you never fail. Character really means that you may fail, but you get back up. But you don't fail again. You do what is necessary to fix what the problem was. Then you move on. You get stronger in God. There is character.
Jesus came to reveal to the world a side of God in our dispensation that the Old Testament folk did not see. The Old Testament folk saw that if you touch the ark you fell dead.
But, God, by sending Jesus, the Lamb of mercy came to display His goodness. It is the goodness of God leads us to repentance. So, walk in the goodness of God, and always seek to give to others. You will be blessed.
Study references: Rom. 2:4; Rom. 15:14; 2 Thess. 1:11
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).
