Written by: Sister Rose Bryant
Why do we practice goodness? We practice goodness because it is the will of God and one of the portions of The Fruit of the spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23 it says, “But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, GOODNESS, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Goodness is a positive, loving and caring attitude revealed through our kindness, our good deeds and our character. Know that, when we act out of true goodness of the heart and reflect the fruit of the Spirit, we are obedient to God’s commandments and when we practice it or apply it to our lives it glorifies the Father, and it blesses others.
Practicing goodness is an impactful way to demonstrate our faith and reflect God’s love to the world around us. The bible has several references to the importance of practicing goodness in our day-to-day lives. In Galatians 6:9, we are encouraged not to lose heart in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Similarly, Proverbs 11:25 tells us that those who give generously will prosper while others will be watered themselves. These scripture verses exemplify the attributes of God that we should strive to emulate, such as selflessness, kindness and compassion.
By practicing goodness, we show others that we are invested in their wellbeing, and this simple gesture can have a significant impact on someone’s life. Whether it is showing kindness to a stranger or volunteering to help those in the community, small acts of goodness can make a significant difference. Jesus himself demonstrated this principle throughout his ministry, as we see in John 13:34-35, where he commands us to love one another, “A new command I give you, love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”
Practicing goodness in our daily lives requires a willing heart and a spirit of generosity. It can involve sacrificing our time, talents, and resources to do good work and help others. As a Christians, it is our duty to follow in Christ’s footsteps and to help alleviate the suffering of others. James 2:14-17 demonstrates the importance of our actions matching our beliefs, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
6 BIBLICAL WAYS TO PRACTICE GOODNESS
There are many ways to practice goodness as Christians, and the Bible provides several examples of Godly goodness that we should seek to emulate. Here are some Biblical ways to practice goodness in our everyday lives:
- LOVE: As Jesus commanded us in John 13:34-35, we are to love one another as He has loved us. This means having compassion, kindness, and putting others before ourselves. We should love our neighbors, our enemies, and everyone in between.
- GENEROSITY: Throughout the bible we are called to be generous with our time, talents, and resources. Proverbs 11:25 states that the generous will prosper, while others will be watered themselves. By giving to others, we show that we value and that we are invested in them.
- SERVICE: Jesus exemplified service during his ministry on earth, and we should follow in His footsteps. Galatians 5:13 instructs us to serve one another in love, and Philippians 2:3-4 tells us to consider others as more important than ourselves.
- FORGIVENESS: The Bible teaches us to forgive others as God has forgiven us. Colossians 3:13 instructs us to bear with each other and forgive one another if any of us has a grievance against someone, just as the Lord forgave us.
- COMPASSION: In Matthew 25:40, Jesus tells us that whenever we help the least of these, we are serving Him. This should inspire us to have compassion for those in need, especially the vulnerable and marginalized.
- HUMILITY: James 4:6 states that God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Practicing humility means putting others before ourselves, acknowledging our weaknesses, and seeking ways to learn and grow from others.
In conclusion, practicing goodness is an essential aspect of our faith as Christians. It requires love, humility, generosity, forgiveness, compassion and a desire to serve others. By following in Chris’s footsteps, embodying these biblical ways and living a life of goodness, we can change lives, make a difference in our communities, and ultimately share the love of Christ with those around us.
Written by Sister Rose Bryant
Grandmothers of Hope Society Ministry