Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Fruit of Goodness

Goodness is the sixth Fruit of the Spirit. The quality of goodness acts like a magnet in us to the rest of the world, drawing people directly to God. People are drawn by the visible effect of goodness in our heart, as they feel safe and can trust this divine quality, a quality that doesn’t waiver like human goodness.

Goodness also means “love in action,” and, “quality of being good.” We cannot of our own will manifest this quality because our sinful nature goes in the opposite direction, looking out for the interest of “self.” Goodness instilled in our heart by the Holy Spirit is the only true “Godly” type. The person who shows this type of goodness is always looking to serve others and their needs, and putting self last.

Goodness is a fruit that can be cultivated and grown in our lives. When it’s grown and used, then goodness becomes an inherent action and intrinsic part of who we are. We become attuned to selflessly acting on the behalf of others, for their good. The Spirit intends for others to see our goodness. We are to let our good actions be seen as a testament to Him. Choose to let others see the goodness in you and through the things you do for others.

“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, NIV

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The Fruit of Kindness

Kindness, or goodness, is the fifth Fruit of the Spirit, and it also works together with love. Once the Holy Spirit’s gift of love becomes more visible in us, kindness naturally follows suit.

Kindness is  “steadfast love,” “goodness of heart,” and “gracious aid in times of need. A gentle word, a soft answer, or a helping hand—all demonstrate the fruit of kindness. Kindness is when we show a tender concern towards others. Kind acts are the actions that meet the real needs of others.  This is a beautiful quality to have and to show, and like all the other fruits, we are completely dependent on the Holy Spirit to infuse their personalities with it. Only then will the height of gentleness be reached.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32, NIV

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Fruit of Patience

Patience is the next Fruit of the Spirit. Also known as forbearance, it is a quality much of our society lacks today. Patience is defined as “forbearance under ill-will,” and “endurance and steadfastness under provocation.” Both of these definitions are recognizing that patience occurs out of enduring through a hard time, being provoked, or under someone’s ill-will. In other words, patience is not born out of the easy times! The KJV translates it “longsuffering.”

A patient person is able to endure much pain and suffering without complaining. A patient person is slow to anger as he waits for God to provide comfort and punish wrongdoing. Since it is a Fruit of the Spirit, we can only possess it through the power and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

When our natural inclination towards impatience is overridden by the Holy Spirit’s flow of patience, the reality of bearing this “fruit” becomes evident. We then find that it is possible to grow more into this divine quality modeled faithfully by God.
God is patient, and His Spirit produces the fruit of patience in us.The patience and mercy we need to show others should mirror the patience and mercy God shows us.

As the Spirit produces patience in us, He is making us more Christlike. Second Thessalonians 3:5 speaks of the “patience of Christ.” We should be patient, even as He is patient.When we are patient, we leave room for God to work in our hearts and in our relationships. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2, NIV

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.

The Fruit of Peace

The third Fruit of the Spirit is peace, or “the tranquility of soul, a sense of well-being, rest, or harmony.” Without this wonderful and life-changing quality at work in our heart, there is discord, torment, adversity, and other unnecessary trials. Peace is real, and the ability to live at peace with those around is possible, but only with the Spirit’s help. “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:14 KJV)

If we choose to dwell on the lasting peace the Spirit gives us. God’s heavenly peace encompasses every aspect of our lives. With His peace our heart is calm and we do not fear.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27, NIV

Let us choose PEACE today!

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.

The Joy Fruit

The second Fruit is Joy. Joy is defined as “great delight or gladness of heart.” Joy is the natural reaction to the work of God, whether promised or fulfilled. God-given joy is a lasting, deeply satisfying state that we can remain in while walking with the Holy Spirit. As He permeates our being and fills us with this joy, we are then able to give it to those around us. As the Scriptures say, “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” (Isaiah 51:11)

Like the Fruit of the Spirit Love, possessing joy is a choice. We choose to accept God’s presence, promises, and work in our lives. The Holy Spirit draws us to God, in whose presence we can know true joy. Without the Holy Spirit, no one would seek God. When we yield to the Spirit, He opens our eyes to God’s grace around us and fills us with joy. (Romans 15:13) says “13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”  Joy is not found in a fallen world; it is only fellowship with God that can make our joy complete. In this world, surrounded by so much sorrow, hurt, destruction and weariness, we must remember that only God brings true joy.

Happiness is dependent upon life events or surrounding circumstances. But, joy is permanent. It doesn’t scatter because of trouble. Joy is a quality of God’s people, found while in His presence.The temporary pleasures, happiness, and satisfaction that the world gives us are limited and shallow at best.

.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.

The Love Fruit

The first Fruit listed is Love, and rightly so, since God is love (I John 4:8). Love is the greatest gift God can give. Without love, nothing else matters.We alone are not capable of truly loving ourselves or others without the leading and strength of the Holy Spirit. As the Spirit flows and enters our lives, we are then able to love others with the intensity and unselfishness God intends and models for us. This love, called agape love, is the highest, purest, and noblest form of love. It is the unconditional love, the love that will do anything for another regardless of cost. It is not a feeling, but a choice; a choice to be kind, to sacrifice, to consider another person’s needs greater than one’s own. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).

It is by His Holy Spirit, God offers us a continual supply of His limitless love so that we have plenty to give to others. He will keep His love flowing into us as long as it keeps flowing out from us. It must flow back to God—a grateful, reciprocal, responsive love for God—and it must flow out in love and service to other people. The more you give it away, the more you will have. And the more you love others, the more you will be loved.

I can’t end a post on Love without referring to 1Corinthians 13 (the “Love Chapter“). It is a beautiful description of what godly love is like. Verses 4-7 say “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

One of my favorite songs.

Amy Grant – El Shaddai (Live) from amy-grant on GodTube.