Fruit of the Spirt: Goodness

The next chapter is on the fruit of the spirit characteristic: goodness. Be sure to do this simple activity before you venture onto the next characteristic. Main activity: define the goodness of God.
Define the goodness of humankind.
What is the difference between kindness and goodness?

For each scripture, read it in two versions of the Bible, note any differences between the versions, and tell what it means.

1. Ephesians 2:8-10
2. Psalm 118:68
3. Psalm 136:1
4. Deuteronomy 32:4
5. Genesis 39
6. Daniel 9
7. Matt. 5:16–17
8. Luke 6:43-45

Based on the Scriptures that you just read; what is the difference between goodness and kindness?

In the space provided, jot down a few biblical characters; that you would consider good. Then describe a few things that we should mimic, as Christians.

Why is goodness an important characteristic to exhibit?

The difference between kindness and goodness is very simple. We learn from the last chapter, that kindness is love and actions. We demonstrate our love for one another not doing something. We go beyond our thoughts and Physically demonstrate them. Therefore, actions begin with our thoughts, our intentions, our feelings, and unctions of the Holy Spirit. Kindness is what we do and goodness is who we are. A Christian who has moral character will always do right; instead of wrong. To do good and to do it always is goodness.
We understand that goodness is the result of good moral character and integrity, because the word goodness comes from the Greek words of integrity. Therefore Kindness means action and goodness means integrity. Goodness can be referred to as moral excellence. In my experience, Christians that are holy on the inside and holy on the outside. A good and moral Christian is called: “what you see is what you get.” Call therefore, I describe a good Christian as follows: “if it walks like a Christian, if it acts like a Christian, and if it talks like a Christian; then you probably have a Christian.” These people are good, because it is simply the right way to be. They have such high moral characteristics that they are walking sanctified and according to the will of God. A good Christian who is full of goodness walks not after the flesh, but walks after the spirit. They go about their daily lives call Elainna the guidance of the Holy Ghost. They are people after God’s own heart, because they simply trust and obey. Goodness is a great quality to possess. These Christians are pure at heart. They are always open and honest.
Goodness and connection to the Holy Ghost means one exhibit certain qualities. In the space provided list those qualities.

Great! If you’re like me, I went back and circled the words in my book. So, here’s part of the list:
honest,
trustworthy,
open,
trusting,
obeys
and integrity.

I think, one of the most important topics that the Bible discusses is the fact that God is good. We also have learned that God is kind, because he shows his love in action. I like serving a good and loving father. God yes always truthful. He is always honest. Therefore, God has the characteristic of integrity. Scripture tells us the following: Psalm 100:5 says, “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” The same is true with His knowledge, sovereignty, holiness, power, faithfulness, goodness, patience, grace, and even His wrath. His attributes never change. God’s will never changes.
In your preparation for this chapter I gave you a couple of scriptures to study. Let’s look back at the book of Psalm. Psalm 118:68 and Psalm 136:1. In both scriptures, we read that God is good. This reassures us that the writers of the Psalms also know that God is good.
Just a quick note to here, Psalm 118 is quoted by Matthew, Luke, and John. It is a great psalm of Thanksgiving. Many scholars believe that after the last meal this is the song that the disciples sang with Jesus. It is a testimony from different groups of people that deem the character of God to be good.
Since we took a rabbit trail on Psalm 118; I would like to also give you some background information on Psalm 136. The psalm reads as though it is a question and answer. It is though one of the tribes of Israel called out a saying and another tribe of Israel called out another saying. It is very, very repetitive in nature. God wants us to know that he is good. The entire Psalm speaks to the fact that God loves and His mercy endures forever. Therefore, God is good and that characteristic also lasts forever. As I read, I counted a repeat of these ideas twenty-six times. Since, we know, when something is repeated, over, and over again; we need to hide this information away in our hearts.
Have you ever done a word study in scripture? If not, they are fun. You take a word Angie Trackett to every scripture but it is written in. People use Bible concordance for this and the blue letter Bible is my favorite. But, your scripture and Deuteronomy 32:4 was not part of that word search, because the word good never appeared in the scripture. However, Moses described the good character of God by using different phrases.
Let’s read the scripture together! “ Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”
What a scripture?.
God is the rock.
God is perfect.
God is truth.
God will save us.
In the space provided what would you like to praises to add?

I’ve been a part of many churches and we like to say the following phrase: “God is good all the time.”First, someone will shout out “God is good.” Next, the congregation will say, “all the time.” Finally, they’ll do it in reverse. The very next chapter in this book I’ve included a sermon; which is, redone into a Bible study. This will really help you understand today’s topics. -but God‘s eternal character is good. Therefore, God will always be open, honest, loving, kind, good, and have integrity.
Now that we have learned that God is good and why God is good; we need to understand that the followers of Jesus will exhibit the same characteristics as God. One reason for this, is that Jesus is God incarnated. Meaning that Jesus is God in the flesh. Jesus went away and sent the comforter; which is, the Holy Ghost (John 6:67). The Holy Ghost lives inside each one of us; therefore, we have those character traits within us. Since, they are within us they also come out of us. Christians are marked with the Holy Spirit; therefore we will produce goodness. Now, we might not and will not be as good as Jesus Christ, but when we trust and obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit we will exhibit good behaviors. This is and why it is important to walk by the spirit and not by the flesh. This is why it’s important to be sanctified. Sanctified means that you are set apart for the service of God. Mature Christians are sanctified. Baby Christians has have not come to the realization of living in the world but not as part of the world. Scripture tells us the following: John 17:15-17 ( King James Version) “15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
So, we see here that we live in this world but we are citizens of another kingdom. A heavenly kingdom and we are responsible for living like Jesus did on earth, because he is our example to follow.
I see a whole Lotta goodness and a whole lot of evilness in the New Testament and in the world today. However, in the New Testament Jesus Christ is the perfect example of godly goodness. We see over, and over again our God cares for his children through Jesus Christ. One of my favorite miracles is known as Jesus feeding the 5000, but I know it as Jesus using a child to do the will of God. You see, Jesus has no limitations on who he uses in order to accomplish the will of his father.
Today, it is a man who put limitations one God! They try to dictate the manifestation of the spirit and the appropriate time for people to use their gifts; instead of, allowing God to lead.
Let’s read the scripture about Jesus meeting the 5000. You can also listen to podcasts, On YouTube lessons, or even grab your Sunday school book about the topic. In scripture, “Feeding of the 5,000″, is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels (Matthew 14-Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6-Mark 6:31-44; Luke 9-Luke 9:12-17; John 6-John 6:1-14).
I like reading and comparing all of the accounts, but for the sake of time let’s concentrate on Luke chapter 9. I feel pretty sure in my spirit that you know the story of how Jesus bed 5000, but today I want you to put your self in their shoes. I want you to be a disciple.
Now, I want you to picture this in modern times just a little bit. Pretend that we have Jesus here and we’ve put announcements all over the place. We’ve created a Facebook event, we put it on craigslist, we’ve put it in the newspaper, we’ve sent tweets about it I am Waze canvas the community. So, we’re expecting a pretty good crowd.
Sure enough, great big crowd shows up. Scripture tells us that there were 5000 men. However, we know according to Jewish history that the Jews only counted the men, while, realizing that that meant families. So, there could’ve been 20 to 25,000 people.
Now, realize that we’ve had Sandy school and worship service. Now it’s about 11 o’clock and it’s Jesus his turn to breach. He preaches past one, past two, past three, and everyone’s getting hungry. We convene a little committee; like the 12 disciples, and decide that we need a spokes person to tell Jesus to dismiss the service. We see, in verse 12 it is getting way late. This means it’s almost dark. So, they send the spoke person over to tell Jesus it’s Time to eat and Jesus says well feed them, in verse 13.
So the spokes person comes back over to the committee and tells the committee that Jesus said to feed them. But, all the restaurants were closed, we’re Way out in the boondocks, and there’s no place to get anything to eat. Now, they have to decide what to do. So they canvas the people I found a little boy. This little boy had Captain D’s. In his bag he had two pieces of fried fish and five biscuits. Little boy really liked biscuits. Therefore, scripture tells us in verse 13 that the disciples brought Jesus the meal.
Jesus then in verse 14, tells the disciples seat the families in groups of 50. I don’t know if you’ve worked with the large group of people or not, but people usually don’t do what you say. So, you’re looking at a crowd of 20 to 25,000 people there’s 12 of you and you have to group people and 50. I wonder how long that took. Next, we see that one of the disciples handed him a loaf Jesus lift it up to heaven, broke it, and gave it back to the disciples.
Can you see the goodness of God right here? He had compassion on the people. He gave him a good meal. He said them those they are sickly and spiritually common so, the disciples take just one dinner in a basket to each group. What would you say to the group? Take a nibble? But then, after that bread and fish was gone, the basket field again. What would you say to the next person? Here you can have a little bit more? What the Holy Spirit wants you to recognize here, is that Jesus did the will of the father. He brought the bread and blessed it, but the real miracle happened in the hands of the people. The real miracles today happen in our hands. We must trust and and obey. Just like the song says: “trust and obey or there’s no other way.” If we want miracles, and we wanna see signs and wonders; and we must be willing to be sanctified. He must be living for God and choosing not to send. Will never be perfect as Jesus, but we must strive good moral character. Having good moral character means that we will do right always. Right is right and wrong is never right.
As Christians we are to exemplify good moral character; just as, Moses, Daniel, and Jesus Christ. I hope that you have learned, that we are supposed to excel at being loving, being kind, being patient, and also have integrity. Christians are supposed to be good, because God is good. Jesus tells us that this is so important in Matthew chapter 5. “[13] Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. … [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Thus, the Lord Jesus Christ tells us that our Christian witness is very important. Christians must have integrity or they will bring reproach on the name of Jesus Christ. How many times have you heard a Christian be called a hypocrite? This is because they do not die out to sin daily. This is because they are not sanctified. This is because they are not trusting and obeying Scripture. This is because their moral character is not good. Sometimes, it’s a maturity thing also, because as we mature the Holy Spirit manifest itself more. We allow the spirit to dictate our responses and our actions.

Wow! Wasn’t that a wonderful journey on the goodness of God? Hope you’re looking forward to next week or the next chapter here our next chapter is on faithfulness. Yes, another Study 01 thanks. As always, complete the next section before going on into the study. Allow God to minister directly to you. Then, allow God to minister to you through my words.

Hello, is your scriptural study. Be sure to look up the Scriptures in two different versions of the Bible, meditate on in the Scriptures, and ask God to open your eyes and your heart.

1. Exodus 2:22-24
2. Lamentations 3:22
3. John 17:4
4. First Corinthians 11:22-28
5. Romans chapter 5:3-5

What is faithfulness? How would you define thankfulness? Where do you find faithfulness in the Old Testament? What are the circumstances of faithfulness in the new testament?
Compare and contrast Characteristics and definition goodness and faithfulness?
Would you describe God is faithful? And if so provide some examples his faithfulness bin the space for bed.
In what areas of your life do you demonstrate faithfulness?

Oh right! I hope you have already dived into the study of faithfulness. Through your homework I know that the Holy Spirit has taught you well. So far, we have examined several fruits of the spirit. We have discussed: love, peace, joy, kindness, goodness, and now faithfulness. Above all, we must have love. If you do not have love you should question your salvation. Love is the route to each and every spiritual gift. We have peace and joy, because we have the love of our Creator God. We exhibit these characteristics, because the Holy Spirit is living inside of us. We show kindness because it is love in action and we are good call me because that’s who we are in Christ Jesus. However these gifts only manifest themselves in mature, sanctified Christians. When you get the Holy Spirit all of them are present, but something happens as you grow closer to God. You become more like Jesus. And your love and obedience people see your good works and glorify God.
The part of faithfulness, that the Holy Spirit wants us to discuss, it’s tough. Yes, time because faithfulness is proven over time. When we show kindness and goodness it comes and goes, but our faith is ongoing and grows all the time. Overtime, we are faithful to exhibit the fruits of the spirit. For example, let’s consider marriage. The scripture describes marriage as being a monogamous male and female relationship. It is a sin to be and faithful. They are for, a husband and a wife must be faithful all the time. Looking at my own relationship, I have been faithful to my husband for 24 years, but it only takes one time do they be unfaithful or to commit adultery. Moreover, we are faithful to each other and more than just intimacy. How are you faithful in your relationships?
How do you hold integrity and your relationships?
How does the fruit of the spirit play a part in your relationship?
We must also consider dependability and reliability as part of being faithful. Someone that is faithful have both of these attributes. They Demonstrate these attributes day after day. For example, you should know that you can count on your spouse. You should be dependable and reliable do your spouse. A spouse should be consistently good and consistently reliable.
Do examine a faithful person in more detail; let’s look at the character of God. Does God exhibit and portray dependability and reliability?
Isn’t he someone that we can always count on being there and telling us the truth?
Well, let’s example in God’s faithfulness in the old testament. One of the first incidents that comes to mind is God’s removal of his people from Egypt. Another one is where God promised Abraham a large nation of people. In the second book of the Bible, exorcist, chapter 2, we see that Israel lights were enslaved Egyptian’s. When you’re reading there, you will find that God heard their cries. God has always been faithful to hear the cries of his people.(Exodus 2:23-24) Not only was God faithful and hearing the cries of his people, but he was faithful in also answering his promises. God promised to make Abraham’s Seed a great nation and here in scripture he is about to feel this promise. A couple more things to tote take note of here is that God is faithful through the 10 plagues, God provided them wealth, and God is going to I feel the promise of protecting them and God is going to feel the promise of making them a great nation. This is why Israel is the native Land of God’s people. So we can see through the old testament, all the way through the New Testament and even today that God is faithful. If God makes you a promise he will keep it. God delivers on his promises. Which, makes God dependable, evil, loyal, and overall faithful.
Next, I would like to examine a scripture found in Lamentations. Do you recall the song: Great is Thy faithfulness.” If so, in the space be low right part of its lyrics and tell how it affects you.
This hymn is a direct result from lamentations 3:23. The Israelites and even us today, as a nation, do not always follow God‘s law; they are for common we are not always faithful. We are not always the temp dependable. God cannot always count us as reliable. God the father cannot say that we are always there for him. Yes, shame on us! However, God is always faithful. Chapter 3 chapter 3 of lamentations is a book, written in a time, in which the people of Israel were in rebellion against God. They as a people we’re not faith, reliable, or dependable. That’s why I just called lamenting. Another word for lamenting is also anguish.
Jeremiah was lamenting and was full of anguish, because the Israelites once again were in sin. We know that CNN has a snowball effect and it will take you further than you want to go or thank you are willing to go. But Jeremiah was in despair about his people and he wanted them to return to God. Jeremiah believed and you can tell by his writings that he knew the characteristic of faithfulness, because great is the faithfulness of God. Jeremiah had faith in God, because he believed in the promises of God. He had the scriptures that were evidence of God‘s answers and filament of those promises.
Next, let’s look at the new testament. Of course, God and his incarnation as Jesus Christ is the ultimate feeling of prophecy and promise. Great is the faithfulness of God to his children. We can trust God, because he has integrity and our best interest at heart. There is no other like him.
Have you ever wondered win humankind knew about Jesus? Was it when he entered the new testament? Why or why not?
What does Genesis 3:25 tell us?

Well, this is when God let humanity know about his redemptive plan for us. If you continue reading the Old Testament from Genesis chapter 3 verse 15; you’ll see, prophecy after prophecy foretelling us that Jesus will come. All the prophecies predict that Jesus will be our answer to salvation. I find this very intriguing and this is where we find God‘s faithfulness. He is faithful and just. What he tells us is true! Are you waiting for Jesus to return? God will fulfill his promise of Jesus Christ returning to get us. We see this-in John 17:4. “John 17:4 ( King James Version) 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” They are for, Jesus is the answer to the promise. He is the only way to obtain eternal life in heaven.
Now, since God the father God the son those our faithful; then, we are also expected to be faithful. Take a minute to jot down what do you think Christians should be faithful at doing or at being.

It is a fact, that Christians are called to be faithful to God; for this reason, I like the following scripture: Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is a confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” As a Christian, we have all seen our need for a savior. We must be sanctified. Sanctification is a second work of grace. Now, God gives us all at our conversion but as we mature we become more sanctified. This means that we submit all of our ways to the Lords wheel. We die out to sin daily. We choose to do right over wrong. We allow the holy spirit, as part of the Trinity, to dictate and direct our steps.
Perhaps, we can understand more about being a faithful servant by reading a parable that Jesus wrote. I would like for you to read Matthew 24:45-51. In the space provided write down what you think the verse is wanting each Christian to do.
This parable is about a master who has servants. Jesus is saying that the servant who is good and is faithful his master will bless. However, if the master beats his servants or is unkind to his servants; then the master will come back in punish him. God will judge S for how we took care of what God has given us. God is the owner, Jesus is the master, and we are the servants. Therefore, Jesus gives each of us certain responsibilities. This is why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us by giving us the fruits of the spirit. Christians are to obey the Holy Ghost. This is why the combination of God, Jesus Christ, and Holy Ghost are important. When we are obeying the Holy Ghost we are obeying Jesus; while at the same time we are obeying God. Finally, God is our judge. If we do good works and obey God, he will bless us, but if we do the will of Satan; then, he will punish us. There is something called
The second death. The ones who are saved under the blood of Jesus Christ Colma will be judged on the Beamer seat, and will make heaven their home. However, on the flipside, call the nonbelievers or the ones that reject Jesus Christ, will be placed on the judgment seat. Add that great white throne judgment those who do not except him will be cast in the lake of fire.
Finally, the fruit of the spirit characteristic of faithfulness it’s just not something for our spiritual life. It’s something that needs to be manifested through us each and every day. We discussed earlier about being faithful in our marriages, but what else should we be faithful or requires this gift of the spirit?

1. We need to be faithful in our marriages. We need to staying power of the Holy Ghost. The divorce rate between the Christian and the non-Christian is the nearly the same. Divorce is an unacceptable practice. As you know, according to Scripture, divorce should be the last resort and only has a few reasons why divorce would be biblically correct.
2. We need to be faithful in our finances. Yes, this is a big one for a lot of people. The World watches the Christian in everything. Scripture after scripture tells us to be great stewards of our money. Tithing, is still prevalent today as it was before Christ. (Leviticus 27:30) God calls us to be cheerful giver‘s. (Second Corinthians 9:7) God wants us not to be stingy with our money. (1 Timothy 6:17-21) God wants us to pay our debts. In fact, God wants us not to be in debt. ( romans 13:8) You know as well as I do if you have a mortgage call it hold you hostage sometimes. Therefore, we need the Holy Spirit to help us be financially faithful.
3. Scripture asks us to be faithful to the house of God. Hebrews 10:25 tells us that we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. God put us on earth to love one another. He put us here to serve one another. When we give our heart to Christ and become reborn he also placed us in the body of Christ. Have you ever heard the saying: “bloom where you are planted.” God put you in a certain place and expect you to mature and to grow. We need to be faithful in the church that God sent us too. We only need to leave that body of Christ when the Holy Spirit directs us to. We have too many people searching for churches on the basis of how the church can serve them. For example, “you’ll hear them say well what children’s programs do you have, do you have a nursery, do you have a choir, and so on.”

Thank you so much for hanging with me so far. We are almost to the end and I trust that the Holy Spirit has taught you all about: the fruits of the spirit. In the next chapter we will discuss gentleness. This chapter, will not be any different in order, as the preceding chapters. Please finish the following study before moving onto the next chapter.

Scriptural study:
Genesis 16 and 21
Matthew 11:28-30
John chapter 4
Philippians 2:5-8

What is your definition of gentleness. How would you define the word gentleness? Describe a person who exhibits gentle behavior in your life today.
Do you the members of society today thank that gentleness is important? Why or why not?
Locate and describe it gentleness being used in the old testament. In the space provided, locate and find gentleness used in the new testament.
Can we cultivate gentleness within our own Spirit? If so explain how in the space provided.