Goodness

It's been a few days, but I am getting back to the Fruit of the Spirit.  The next on the list is "goodness".  The good ol' dictionary define that at "the state of being good".  The Greek Lexicon defines it as "uprightness of heart and life, goodness, kindness; useful, salutary, good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy, excellent, distinguished, upright, honourable".  

1 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NLT, "And so we keep on praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you. And we pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds. Then everyone will give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus because of you, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the undeserved favor of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ."  God has called us to a specific task or purpose.  But, we need His power to help us have good intentions and faithful deeds.  When we seek to have those characteristics, the end result will be that HE is glorified and honored.   

Matthew 5:16 NIRV, "Let your light shine in front of others. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will praise your Father who is in heaven."  We need to let our light shine so bright that when others see our good works they praise Him.  Remember, it's all about HIM.  

Ephesians 2:10 NLT, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."  God has a plan for each of us.  He created us to be a beautiful masterpiece for His glory.  We need to allow Him to work in and through us so that we can fulfill what He has planned for us to do.

Proverbs 10:29, "The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity."  When we follow HIS plan for us, He will guide us to a place or means of safety, protection, refuge, stronghold.  But to those that work trouble, wickedness or sorrow in the lives of others, the end result will be destructive and ruin.  

Proverbs 11:3 & 6, "The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.  The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness."  Those that strive to be upright, will be guided by honesty, righteousness and stability.  But the crookedness of those that act deceitfully or seek to offend others, will be destroyed and ruined by their own actions.  And, those the strive to be upright will be delivered by their righteous acts.  But those that act deceitfully and seek to offend will be taken and engulfed by their own ruin and destruction.  

To get a better understanding of being "good", here are some synonyms:  acceptable, favorable, positive, honorable, virtuous, righteous, useful, reliable, authentic, real, well-behaved, considerable, honest, kind and untainted.  If we are going to attain these characteristics, we must live a life that is prayerful and full of the Holy Ghost.  It is through the power of the Holy Ghost that we can overcome and be successful.