Galatians 5:22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives HE will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
[Living Bible]
Summary
Another SUPERFRUIT of the HOLY SPIRIT is GOODNESS.
The word "good" is sometimes used as an adjective. An adjective is a word that modifies or describes a noun. For example when we want to compliment a child, we might say "good boy" or "good girl." The word "good" describes "boy" and "girl." We might even say the child is a "very good boy," if we want to heap additional praise on the child or say that child was "really good."
In church, we sometimes hear the expression. "GOD is GOOD all the time; and all the time GOD is GOOD." In this context "GOOD" is not being used as an adjective, but ra-ther an attribute. GOOD or GOODNESS is the very essence (i.e., the nature) of who GOD IS.
In Exodus 33, Moses asks to see GOD. GOD tells Moses: "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence." (Ex. 33:19)
Although we are not told exactly what Moses saw, we are told that GOD put Moses "in the cleft of the rock" so that Moses could see HIS GOODNESS (Ex 33:21). The Living Bible translation states that GOD told Moses to "stand here on this rock beside me."
Those who have examined this passage believe that "THE ROCK BESIDE GOD" ---THE ROCK in which we can CLEFT to see GOD, refers to the coming of JESUS CHRIST!
There are Bible verses about the ROCK and the "chief cornerstone" which support this. The old standard hymn: "On Christ the Solid ROCK I Stand" makes it plain.
JESUS says: "Anyone who has seen me has seen the FATHER!" (John 14:9) In other words, the ways that we see GOD or see HIS GOODNESS is by way of JESUS CHRIST.
Because of HIS GOODNESS, JESUS saw many needs that others simply did not see (i.e., spiritually and/or physically). JESUS SAW:
- The need of the woman with the issue of blood (while others ignored her complete-ly);
- The needs of the hungry masses to be spiritually and physically filled (when the disciples forgot to bring bread);
- The spiritual need of the rich man who asked to inherit eternal life (while the disciples probably just saw a man who had wealth and stature.)
Just imagine what we would "see" if we allowed the HOLY SPIRIT to manifest the FRUIT of HIS GOODNESS in us!
SEEING THE PHYSICAL DIFFERENCE
We have all seen the articles and warnings everywhere: "Obesity Clouds Baby Boomers' Golden Years," Contra Costa Times, July 19, 2011; "Childhood Obesity is No Laughing Matter," Dawn Newspaper November 15, 2008; "Shape Up America," www.shapeup.org. The rise in obesity seems to strongly influenced by the increased portion sizes of our food.
In "Food Portion Sizes Have Grown---A Lot," John McKenzie notes:
The data revealed that over the past 20 years:
Hamburgers have expanded by 23 percent; A plate of Mexican food is 27 percent bigger; Soft drinks have increased in size by 52 percent; Snacks, whether they be potato chips, pretzels or crackers, are 60 percent larger.
Not surprising, the prevalence of adult obesity in the United States has increased from 14.5 in 1971 to 30.9 percent in 1999.
We can actually see the difference: Twenty years ago a cheeseburger was 333 calories. Today's cheeseburger is 590 calories:
Twenty years ago an 8 oz. soda was 97 calories. Today's 12 oz. can is 145 calories and the 20 oz. plastic bottles are 242 calories.
See, Portion Size, www.google.com. And, these are just a few examples. So, let us see the size of the portions we consume and see the need to make the necessary changes.
A DOUBLE PORTION OF GOODNESS
Unlike physical food, when it comes to GOD's SPIRITUAL FRUIT, we can always ask for a "double portion!"
So, let us pray that the FRUIT of the HOLY SPIRIT overflow in our lives so that we see not only our own needs but also see the needs of others, both near and afar.
Let us pray to really see, so that one day we can all say: "I once was blind, but now I see ---thank GOD for HIS GOODNESS to me!"
See Goodness, Seek Goodness and Be Blessed!
_____________________
Luke 8:43-48
Mark 8:1-21
Mark 10: 17-23
2 Kings:2:9 (See Elisha's request of Elijah.)
