Goodness - The Goodness of God: Reflecting His Character

"Goodness" can sound bland, even moralistic. But the goodness of Galatians 5:22, agathosune, is anything but. It's a moral excellence, an active pursuit of what is right and beneficial, a reflection of God's own character. And it's a character quality that is utterly unattainable apart from the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

The Depths of Agathosune: Active, Intentional Righteousness

Agathosune is not just the absence of badness; it's the active pursuit of goodness. It's a moral uprightness that is both internal (in our thoughts and motives) and external (in our actions and words). It's a desire to do what is right, not out of obligation or fear of punishment, but out of a love for God and a desire to reflect His character. It's a goodness that is generous, benevolent, and seeks the well-being of others.

The Counterfeits: The Traps of Self-Righteousness and Moralism

We often fall into traps that masquerade as goodness, revealing our inherent inability to achieve true agathosune:

• The Legalist: We focus on external rules and regulations, striving to be "good" by adhering to a strict moral code. But this often leads to pride, judgment, and a lack of compassion. We become self-righteous, focusing on our own "goodness" rather than on God's grace.

• The Moral Superior: We compare ourselves to others, feeling morally superior because we avoid certain sins or engage in certain "good" behaviors. This is not goodness; it's pride and hypocrisy.

• The "Nice" Person (Again): We confuse niceness with goodness. We avoid conflict, say only pleasant things, and try to be agreeable, even when truth or justice demands otherwise. This is not goodness; it's a lack of courage and conviction.

• The Do-Gooder (with Ulterior Motives): We engage in charitable acts or volunteer work, but our underlying motivation is to gain recognition, to feel good about ourselves, or to earn favor with God. This is not goodness; it's self-serving.

• The Selective Good-doer: We carefully choose to whom we show goodness. Perhaps motivated by factors such as: who is watching, what we will get out of it, what we think of this person.

• The Complainer: We do good, but are internally resentful or bitter about it.

The Spirit's Work: The Author of True Goodness

The Holy Spirit is the only source of true goodness. He doesn't just "help" us to be good; He transforms us from the inside out, making us capable of goodness:

• Renewing Our Minds: The Spirit transforms our thinking, aligning our thoughts and desires with God's will (Romans 12:2). He helps us to see the world through God's eyes, to value what He values, and to pursue what is truly good.

• Giving Us a New Heart: The Spirit replaces our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26), making us capable of loving righteousness and hating evil. He gives us a new nature, a nature that desires to do good.

• Empowering Us to Obey: The Spirit gives us the strength to obey God's commands, not out of obligation, but out of love and gratitude. He empowers us to overcome temptation and to live lives that are pleasing to God.

• Producing Fruit: Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit, a natural outgrowth of His presence in our lives. It's not something we achieve; it's something He produces in us.

• Interceding: The Holy Spirit alone can make a person's actions good, working on our behalf.

Practices for Cultivating Goodness

These are not steps to become good; they are ways to cooperate with the Spirit's work, to position ourselves to receive the goodness He imparts:

• Prayer: Don't pray to be "good" in a general sense. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you, to renew your mind, to give you a heart that desires what He desires. Pray for specific situations where you struggle to do what is right.

• Scripture Meditation: Immerse yourself in passages that speak of God's goodness and our call to reflect His character (Psalm 34:8, Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:16, Galatians 6:10), allowing the Spirit to transform your understanding of goodness.

• Confession: Confess your self-righteousness, your moralism, your hypocrisy, your attempts to be "good" in your own strength. Acknowledge your need for the Spirit's transforming power.

• Surrender: Yield your will to God's will. Surrender your desire to control your image, to be seen as "good" by others. Trust that the Spirit will guide you into true goodness.

• Action (Spirit-Prompted): Look for opportunities to do good, motivated by the Spirit's leading, not by a desire for recognition or reward. Seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).