Cultivating Goodness and Faithfulness

Week 5 – Day 4 – A Christ Like Life

Scripture Passage: Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

Devotional:

By now you will be noticing that the daily bible verse for this week is not changing. Why?

Because the entire essence of the Christian walk and how it is portrayed to others is in The Fruits Of The Spirit.

My wife Michelle has lived by this verse constantly for years and I have seen it transform her life and the lives of many sexual abuse survivors that she has come in contact with. I feel and taste these fruits in my marriage to her every day when I test her patience and call on her to summon all these fruits on a daily basis.

The truth is that people will know you belong to Christ and happy to serve Him when you eat the fruit from tree of the Holy Spirit against such there is no law…..it’s guilt free.

In our journey of faith, we are called to bear the fruits of the Spirit, which include goodness and faithfulness. Let’s reflect on these virtues and how we can cultivate them in our lives.

A couple of years ago I refuelled my car at a busy garage. As I stood in the line to pay my bill I noticed the console operator was in tears. As she took my card I asked her what was wrong? She had been conned by two customers that morning who had claimed a cheaper bowser than theirs and stole an excess of fuel. Her boss told her that he would take the difference from her pay. I asked her how much that was and she said $50. Then as she processed my payment she asked if I wanted any cash out. I asked for $50 and as she handed it to me I told her that God wanted her to have it.

We both burst into tears.

I am not making a hero of myself but I cannot describe the joy I felt in doing a good deed for someone else. It was priceless and she got to feel the gentle hand of God on her for that day and who knows how much longer?

1. Goodness: Consider a recent opportunity you had to demonstrate goodness towards someone. How did you respond? How can you intentionally seek out opportunities to do good to others, reflecting the character of Christ in your actions?
2. Faithfulness: Reflect on God’s faithfulness in your life. In what ways has He proven Himself faithful, even in difficult circumstances? How can you cultivate a deeper sense of faithfulness in your relationship with God and in your commitments to others?
3. Integration: Explore the relationship between goodness and faithfulness. How does living a life of goodness flow from a heart that is grounded in faithfulness to God? How can your faithfulness to God inspire acts of goodness towards others?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Papa God, we thank You for the transformative work of Your Holy Spirit in our lives, producing the fruits of love, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness, and more. Help us to embody Your goodness in all that we do, seeking opportunities to extend kindness and compassion to those around us. Strengthen our faithfulness, Lord, that we may remain steadfast in our commitment to You and to others. May our lives be a reflection of Your faithfulness and goodness, drawing others into relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Graham Hood