Goodness
Discipleship S.T.E.P.S.: SHAPE
Scripture: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, – Galatians 5:22 (KJV)
Goodness is the active expression of God’s character in our lives; it is ‘love in action.’ While the world is often characterized by self-interest and indifference, the believer is called to be a fountain of integrity and moral excellence that points others toward the Source of all good. When your daily interactions are marked by genuine kindness and a commitment to doing what is right—even when it is difficult—you are mirroring the goodness of the Father who first loved you.
Ask yourself today if your life is a ‘sweet aroma’ to those you encounter. Are you characterized by benevolence, or are you simply mirroring the cynicism of the culture? Ask the Holy Spirit to produce this fruit in you, making your ordinary actions a platform for His extraordinary love. Small acts of goodness performed in His name have the power to challenge and change the hearts of those who witness them.
Prompt: How does your daily behavior reflect the inherent goodness of God to those around you?
Action Step: SHAPE explores foundational attributes, noting how cultivating goodness reflects God’s character and purposes in our lives.
Next Step: Identify one practical way to show unprompted goodness to a coworker or neighbor today.