Meditations on the Fruit of the Spirit - Goodness

For the second time in this series of articles, which are written in connection with a Women’s Bible Study, I have sat and stared at my computer screen, wondering where to start.  You may remember, I mentioned being completely stumped when I was trying to figure out how to teach a concise lesson on the fruit “love”.  And since God’s love and God’s goodness are so much the same, here I sit again. I have stared into space at home, tried at a coffee shop, and did housecleaning chores that I rarely do as a means of procrastination. However, at the same time, along with staring, I have been reading beautiful, wonderful, humbling scriptures about the goodness of God. 

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:17-18).

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you” (Jeremiah 29:11-12).

“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

The descriptions of His goodness, His righteousness, His mercies, and His love have left me at peace and at the same time indebted and convicted—determined to do better, to be better, to be good.

As students in our Women’s Bible Study, we each come prepared to share and discuss a scripture that we feel teaches us about the particular Fruit of the Spirit.  We also share a Bible story that we believe illustrates the fruit. This time, for the Bible character illustration, I thought of Job. I have now spent much of the afternoon rapt in the beautiful, poetic book of Job. It’s the story of a truly good man faithfully serving the God he knew was great and good.

Job was a man good enough to be brought to Satan’s attention. Since childhood, this part of the story has intrigued me, pondering that God knows each and every one of us on the earth.  Would my life ever cause Him to mention me to Satan?  

Job 1:1 says he was “blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.” God recommends Job to Satan for these very qualities. In an attempt to test Job - and presumably to hurt God in the process - Satan asks and receives permission to take away all his physical possessions, and even his dear children.  Job’s response: he tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground - and he worshipped.  His words: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).  Verse 22 tells us, “Through all this, Job did not sin nor did he blame God.”  When I wonder what it means to be good, or how good I have to be, Job is an example.  When I struggle to be good in hard times, Job is an inspiration. 

Job’s righteousness before God is a comfort to him: “But it is still my consolation, and I rejoice in unsparing pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One” (Job 6:10). Even in his desperate desire to know why he is suffering, he recognizes his place before God, saying, “For He is not a man as I am that I may answer Him, that we may go to court together” (Job 9:32). He knows God is the source of what he needs: “With Him are wisdom and might; to Him belong counsel and understanding” (Job 12:13). He will not give up or give in: “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him” (Job 13:15). What is that hope?  Job declares, “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth” (Job 19:25).  In chapter 24, Job wonders why the acts of the wicked seem to be ignored. In chapter 27, he lists the good he has done.  He has been sexually pure, he has been fair in business, and he has been good to his servants. He has been kind to the poor, the stranger and the orphan; he has not trusted in gold. He does not curse God or indict Him, but he persistently wants to know why he has suffered this plight.

This account, which feels so tragic, teaches us what it means to be good.  We know how the narrative continues.  God speaks to Job, initiating the conversation: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” (Job 38:4).  God continues to declare His power and righteousness, rebuking Job for “contending with The Almighty.”  And Job, in his goodness, responds: “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me… I repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42: 3-6).  This good man was now even better.

We don’t know what amount of revelation Job was given earlier in his life, but we know he believed God’s words, honored His power, and lived his life in obedient service.  We, on the other hand, have the mystery of Christ revealed (Eph. 3:5). We have been saved by His goodness, kindness, and mercy (Titus 3:4-5).  Let’s determine not to be like the world, but ready to present ourselves a living sacrifice, knowing and doing what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:1-2). Let’s determine to walk as “children of Light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:9). And beyond being good ourselves, let’s stir up each other to love and good works (Heb 10:24).

As you and I continue our personal Bible study, we will read of God’s goodness on nearly every page.  The Spirit, by the Word, will show us what God wants, what He requires, and what He deserves. The fruit of goodness will grow in us.  “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” ( Psalm 107:1).