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Goodness
Brian Mashburn
July 28, 2013
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Goodness
When we say, in these days, and in our vocabulary, that something is "good," we often do not mean what the Bible means.
When a kid says, "That flavor tastes good!" he usually means to communicate that he likes it.
When a woman says, "He is a good man," she usually means to communicate that he is self-responsible, kind, a giver, and/or that he is attractive.
When a man says, "She is a good boss," he usually means that she runs things efficiently and effectively, is clear about expectations, and/or compensates her employees generously.
Some folks will say that their trip was good, or their meal was good, or their kids "did good" at some activity they were involved in or on a test.
Goodness, some people even use the word goodness to preface some sentence, using it as an exclamation!
But the goodness of the Bible is so lofty and profound and far reaching that the Old Testament only speaks of it as being present in God Himself. And in the New Testament, only after Christ's mission does the New Testament observe that it can be found in people.
Goodness is the rejection of evil. It is the working against evil. It is the overthrowing of evil.
As a fruit of the Spirit, then, goodness is the quality of fighting for what is right to be done - in ourselves, in others, and in the world. Your lunch cannot be good (Biblically speaking). But you can be, and with the Spirit inside of you, you are... You are an ever-increasing and unstoppable force for good.