Lesson 7 – Goodness
Introduction
The context of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 is the battle going on within the Christian.
"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. (18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Galatians 5:16-18
Paul gives a list of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-20) then says, BUT….
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV)
And Paul brings the discussion back to the Gospel, back to the Cross:
"And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:24-25 NKJV)
The only way to see the fruit of the Spirit in your life – is by coming to the Cross.
As we go through these lessons, we will always be coming from the perspective of the Cross. There is no better filter than wearing our “Gospel glasses” and reading God’s word with the Cross always in mind.
Let’s look at the sixth quality of the Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
Walking in the Spirit in Goodness
How is the word “goodness” used in the Bible?
We will look at an illustration from the Old Testament showing goodness.
How does the Cross and the Gospel, Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection demonstrate goodness?