#14.

True Fellowship is an Opportunity to Express the Fruit of Goodness

Romans 15:14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. As with all the other fruits and gifts of the Spirit that we have been examining, "goodness" is formed in a believer for the benefit of the whole church. But what exactly is meant by "goodness"? Another way of putting it would be moral excellence, including an idea of generosity in heart and action. Perhaps it is needless to say, but Jesus, upon Whom the Spirit was poured without measure (John 3:34; Colossians 2:9), possessed all these fruits in abundance. If we want to know what any of them looks like in practice then, we need look no further than to Him. Jesus was full of goodness. His entire life was obedience to God's Law and advancement of His will. No-one could fault Him in any way, and who could call the generosity of His heart into question, when so often, moved with compassion, He fed the hungry, healed the sick, shepherded the flock and wept over a people so afflicted with sin. This then, is the pattern laid down for us and this is what we will increasingly be like as the same Spirit produces this fruit in us. So what does this have to do with the body of Christ? Obedience to God's law (moral excellence, or goodness) shows itself as love - first to God and then to our neighbor. So as we devote ourselves to loving our neighbors as we love ourselves, we are manifesting this fruit of goodness. In so doing, we will respect and submit to the authorities God has placed over us (parents, elders in our fellowships and so on - 5th Commandment). We will seek to preserve life and we will turn from attitudes of malice and hatred (6th Commandment). We will keep our marriage vows and govern the thoughts of out minds and the fleshly desires of our hearts (7th Commandment). We will take care not to rob others of property, honor, or anything else that is rightly theirs, instead seeking to defend what belongs to them in all respects (8th Commandment). We will not lie or deliberately deceive or mislead in order to injure the reputation of a brother or sister (9th Commandment). We shall be content with our lot, and not resent our brothers and sisters for the blessings God has given them. Once again, then, it is clear that goodness can only find its fullest expression where there is true fellowship happening between believers. Try to picture what a church would be like in which everyone was growing in this fruit of goodness and loving one another as they love themselves. What a blessing it would be to belong to such a church! Let's play our part in the days that lie ahead to make our own church a place in which goodness overflows!

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