obcfrs6goodness

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – GOODNESS – (Week 6) Friday April 11^th., 2008

If the dictionary defines “goodness” as the quality or state of being good, then I would challenge you to look up the word “good”. There are quite a few definitions given under the use of this word. The word “good” is used in the Old Testament at least 351 times. The word “good, goodness, good thing” is used 9 times and additionally is used in the Old Testament once in Ecclesiastes 5:11 to mean “equity or benefit”. It is also used 3 times to mean “might, with might”. The word used in the New Testament is “agathos”.

In the New Testament it is used to mean “good, life, means of life, well, beautiful, pleasing, well, fairly, beautifully, useful, profitable, usefulness, kindness”. The expression “goodness” is used in the Old Testament to mean “kindness” 9 times,

“goodness” 16 times, and “good thing” 14 times. In the New Testament the word

“goodness” is used in Romans 15:14 to remind us that we are to be full of goodness.

Our text in Galatians 5:22 needs to be compared with Ephesians 5:9 and II Thessalonians

1:11. Paul in his letter to the Christians meeting in Rome also speaks of “goodness” as

“usefulness or benignity (of a gentle disposition)” in Romans 2:4 and 11:22. We should consider the extent, the depth, the length that our God’s gentle disposition leads to concerning man! It is further explained in its use in Romans 2:4 as “useful, benign” in what it accomplishes for man. It leads us to a change in our relationship with the Creator of all life.

According to Matthew’s account, Jesus once told a young man, that only God should be called good. (Matthew 19:17) The very nature of our God is good. There is not anything about Him that can be said to be bad or evil. If we would imitate His Son, then we must strive to exhibit those marks in our character that most closely resemble the Father-in-Heaven. We understand good to be the opposite of bad. Under the Old Testament covenant of Moses the children of Israel could not offer a sacrifice that had any blemish.

You and I are given the opportunity to present ourselves as “a living sacrifice”. (Romans 12:1-2) The Bible speaks of a good tree, a good man, good and faithful servant, good ground, good heart, good part, good gifts, good works, good conscience and good hope.

(NT) We are told to do good in both the Old and New Testaments. Elsewhere we learn of

good courage, good deed, good health, good pleasure, good speed, good success, good men, good place, good tidings, good way, good words, and good will. All of these uses

show us the necessity of striving for the best. We must ever endeavor to reach for the goal that has been placed before us, the goal of maturity in Christ. (Philippians 3:13-14)

In seeking this characteristic of the Holy Spirit, this fruit must be added to our lives.

It goes hand-in-hand with the idea of kindness. It is something we all have to work on.

Keep studying. You are appreciated. God loves you and so do I.

Larry R. Scott, minister

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – GOODNESS – (Week 6) Friday April 11^th., 2008

1. Define “goodness”. _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

2. Does II Chronicles 32:32 speak of the “goodness” of Hezekiah? __________________

3. What does the Psalmist mean in Psalm 52:1? ________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

4. What does Hosea compare God’s goodness to? (Hosea 6:4) ____________________ ________________________

5. What does II Chronicles 6:41 mean? ________________________________________ _______________________________________________

6. What does David say about goodness in Psalm 23:6? ___________________________ ______________________________

7. What does Paul mean, “and fulfill all te good pleasure of his goodness” in II Thessalonians 1:11? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

8. What are the “riches of his goodness” in Romans 2:4? __________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

9. Explain the contrast of God’s goodness with His severity in Romans 11:22. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

10. How is goodness useful for us? (Romans 2:4) ________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

11. In your own words write 3 to 5 sentences expressing what “goodness’ means to you and how you are seeking to make this fruit a part of your daily life? ______________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

Student _________________________ Date ________________ Grade ____________

Instructor: Larry R. Scott