January 01, 2024 | Letters from the Lead Pastor by Brandon Lenhart
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT), But the Holy Spirit produces this king of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things.
Since 2019 at North Main, we have been focusing on a fruit of the Holy Spirit every year. This new year of 2024 we will be taking a deep look at “goodness.”
The Greek words for both kindness and goodness are very similar in definition, however, there is a subtle difference that separates the two. Goodness is closely tied to integrity in that it lies deep within a person as a character trait, whereas kindness is an action of goodness. Out of the heart of a person comes actions that are typically reminiscent of the very core of his/her nature. Sure, a person can fool anyone by acting “good” when in all reality they are morally corrupt, but eventually true colors come shining through.
Think of it this way: A bad person can do good deeds and still remain bad, but a good person with the fruit of the Spirit, which is goodness, will not only do good deeds, but also be virtuous and morally good. Consider this quote from William Barclay:
“Goodness goes a step further than kindness. Goodness
is virtue equipped at every point. So, what is the
difference between goodness and kindness? Agathousune
[goodness] might, and could, rebuke and discipline;
chrestotes [kindness] can only help. Thus, when Jesus
went into the temple and drove the money-changers out,
He showed goodness (Luke 19:45–46). When He
forgave the woman who was caught in the act of adultery,
He manifested kindness (John 8:10–11). At His trial He
showed goodness when He challenged the official who
struck Him in the face (John 18:23). Earlier in the Garden
when one of His disciples took his sword and cut off the
ear of the high priest’s servant, Jesus demonstrated
kindness when He touched the man’s ear and healed him
(Luke 22:51).”
As we press forward into this new year, let us resolve to be truly good people who manifest the fruit of the Spirit, goodness.
