GodReflection: Power Words

So I say, walk by the Spirit—the fruit of the Spirit is goodness—Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5

Currently, I am reading a book on the history of my church in the USA over the past two hundred years. There were times when it seems there wasn’t much goodness demonstrated by its leaders.  The meanness of spirit didn’t come from the Holy Spirit.

Sadly, I suspect many people missed God because religious leaders left no room for the Spirit’s gifts to grow within the soul and to shine forth as Jesus serving his creation.

I am only halfway through the book but I am filled with determination to grow in goodness and not reflect the church of many of my ancestors. I want to be the church that reflects the heart of Jesus.

I want to be the church that reflects goodness.

When I read Old Testament Scripture, I am impressed that goodness as a characteristic is attributed only to God.

After Aaron and the Golden Calf rebellion, Moses is in an intense back and forth with God. God threatens to abandon the Israelites and Moses pleads for them, for himself, and for the witness of God before all nations.

As the negotiation proceeds—in Moses’ attempt to beg God to stay with them—they reach agreement. God will go forward and lead His people.

Since burning bush days, God hadn’t allowed Moses to see Him. Moses has one last bold request. He wants to see God. He wants to see His full glory face to face.

God grants a partial answer.

And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence . . .  But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

God showed Moses His essence. God showed Moses His goodness.

God’s goodness was intense. Its reflection burned so bright that Moses covered his face with a veil because his face was radiant, and they (the people) were afraid to come near him.

In New Testament Scripture God mirrors His goodness through Jesus. Then I read that Jesus comes to live in his followers through the Holy Spirit.

From the time of Jesus forward, goodness is to be inside every disciple of the Christ.

The Spirit is the gift while goodness is the fruit.

Here is what I think.

While it is possible for anyone to do good, it is only possible for the Spirit-dwelt to be good.

That goodness is a reflection of God.

As a follower of God and a disciple of Jesus, my purpose on earth is to honor God and reflect His essence to those who attempt to live under their own steam. I do that in part by spreading the fruit of goodness that grows within me through Spirit power.

I am not good.

I am a descendent of Adam and Eve. My default drive is sin. It is only by my trust placed in Jesus and my submission to his Holy Spirit that goodness can grow as a fruit and a power in my life.

I am ready for goodness to invade every pore of my body and soul. At the resurrection it will be so.

Until then, I desire to be a recipient of Paul the apostles’ prayer:

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on Goodness as a Power Word.

Gary@GodReflection.org