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For Goodness Sake

July 13, 2022
Midweek Study with Pastor Edith
Galatians 5:22-26, Acts 10:34-38

Today we are going to sample the fruit of “Goodness”, number 6 in the list of the fruit of the Holy Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22-26. As we are reading from the New Testament, which was originally written in Greek, we can learn that the Greek word for “Goodness” is the word “Agathos”. This word; “Describes that which a person being good in character or constitution, will be beneficial in its effect on others” (Nine Fruits of the Spirit-Goodness pg. 9 by Robert Strand). With that explanation, we can see that Goodness is an active and productive characteristic of Christ-like living, or, Fruitful living.

Acts 10:34-38 tells us how Peter declares boldly the ministry of Jesus Christ; how “God anointed him with the power of the Holy Spirit, and how he went around doing good…”. When we are in relationship with Jesus Christ, we too, are given the gift of the Holy Spirit to “go around doing good”. Can you say with boldness, “I am living my life for goodness sake!” and by this mean that you are living for Jesus and his kingdom? I know I want to be more like him and a little less like me every day. Here is a little poem I found a couple of years ago that says it all pretty well.

The Goodness Creed [Edith calls it ; “Just A Little Bit”]

“Let me be a little kinder, let me be a little blinder to the faults of those about me; Let me praise a little more; Let me be, when I am weary, just a little bit more cheery; Think a little more of others and a little less of me. Let me be a little braver when temptation bids me waver; Let me strive a little harder to be all that I should be. Let me be a little meeker with the brother who is weaker; Let me think more of my neighbor and a little less of me. Let me be a little sweeter, make my life a bit completer, by doing what I should do every minute of the day. Let me toil without complaining, not a humble task disdaining; Let me face the summons calmly when death beckons me away”. (Author unknown)

AMEN