Skip links
Published on: 3M Fast

Day 13 – Goodness (Pt. 2)

Welcome to Day 13 of our 3M Fast.  Today, we want to continue our Devotional on the Fruit of “GOODNESS” as recorded in Galatians 5:22-23. 

“But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

The word “good” is used so frequently in our everyday lives that it almost loses its meaning.  For example, how many times have you heard, “I’m Good; Its all Good; Good Luck; or Be Good?”  We get mixed messages about what is good.  The word “good” has become our default word.  I’m not convinced that God had in mind what the world is calling good when He first introduced us to the concept of “good!”  In Psalm 33:4-5 (KJV), it says,

“For the word of the Lord is right; and all His works are done in truth. 5He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.”

Psalm 33:4-5 (KJV)

Happy African American millennial woman sitting on windowsill taking on cellphone, looking at window

In other words, God wants the earth to be full of His goodness!  What He considers good is clearly spelled out in the Bible.  However, since the creation of Adam and Eve, humanity under Satan’s influence has chosen to come up with its own definition of goodness.  Most people decide what is right and wrong not based on what God has taught us, but on whatever mood, feeling, or biased research they’ve experienced on the matter.  

Psalm 52:1 (NKJV) tells us that, 

“The goodness of God endures continually.”

Psalm 52:1 (NKJV)

What is that goodness?  It includes an absolute commitment to good over evil and right over wrong.  The fruit of the Spirit of goodness also includes generously doing good to others.

Romans 12:2 (NIV) – 

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

 God has given us the rulebook for living together here on earth.  But that’s not His ultimate expectation for us.  So, what does God expect of us?  God expects us to accept His Son, the Lord Jesus as our Savior.  He expects us to give our lives to Him, and in doing so, develop the character of Christ.  God wants us to become more like Christ.  Much confusion in the believer’s life comes from ignoring the simple truth that God is far more interested in building your character to reflect Him than He is about building your career.  Here’s why. Because it’s your character that will be used to cause others to accept or reject God and His Kingdom.  It is your character that has the capability of having you spend eternity with God; not your career. 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”

Ephesians 2:8-10 – NIV

God does not expect us to be famous, rich, popular, or beautiful.  But God expects us to Trust Him.  He expects us to Love Him and to Pattern ourselves after His Son and do good!   “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2 – NET).  

Reflect on these questions as you focus on doing what God expects of us.  Am I just?  Am I fair?  Am I obedient to God’s commandments?  Am I generous in doing good to others?

Join the 3M Fast. Download your Fasting Guide Today.

DOWNLOAD THE 3M FASTING GUIDE