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Galatians 5:22-23

“I will grow in goodness as I allow the Spirit to purify my heart.”

INTRODUCTION: We are continuing in our message series on the fruit of the Spirit and growing more like Jesus. When you become a Christian, God gives you his Holy Spirit, and the Spirit begins to change you. Just like with regular fruit, it doesn’t happen all at once, but over time you find yourself growing more like Jesus as the Spirit develops this beautiful fruit in your life. So far in our series we have looked at love, joy, peace, patience and kindness. Today we come to the fruit of goodness. (Read Galatians 5:22-23 and pray.)

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We use the word good to describe all sorts of things. “How are you feeling today? Good. How was the movie? Good. How was that slice of key lime pie? Really good!” God used the word good to describe the various days of creation. At the end of each day God looked over what he created and saw that it was good. In fact, at the end of the sixth and final day of creation, we are told God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

But those are all examples referring to things. We also use the word good referring to people. We say, “He’s a good kid,” or “She’s a good woman,” or “He’s a good man.” When we use the word good with people, we are referring both to their character and their behavior. And that’s the way the Bible uses the word good. Goodness in the Bible refers to uprightness of heart and life. It is good and fitting behavior. It is a matter of integrity and righteous living, where you do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do.

And that’s because goodness begins in the heart. We have a saying for each of the fruit of the Spirit, and our saying for the fruit of goodness is as follows: “I will grow in goodness as I allow the Spirit to purify my heart.” Just as a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit, we are the same way. Your works flow from the heart. You cannot bear the fruit of goodness unless God first purifies your heart.

And so, goodness in the Bible is not simply who you are but also what you do and how you act. In many ways it is similar to kindness. Both goodness and kindness have to do with graciousness and generosity towards others. But the emphasis is different. Kindness has to do with gracious acts to others flowing from a heart of compassion, while goodness has to do with an inward righteousness that displays itself in outward works. It is a beautiful combination of both purity and generosity.

So, the fruit of goodness has to do with both being good and doing good. It has to do with good deeds that flow from a good heart. If you do good but not from a good heart, it is not the fruit of goodness. And if you don’t do good, then you don’t have a good heart to begin with. So, let’s take a closer look at the fruit of goodness together.

I. Goodness and God

First, we want to see what the Bible tells us about goodness and God.

   A. God is good (all the time!)
      – Psalm 34:8, 145:9; 1 John 1:5

And the Bible tells us that God is good – all the time! Psalm 34:8 says: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8) Psalm 145:9 says: “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” (Psalm 145:9)

We see God’s goodness displayed in his creation. We see his goodness with the Israelites at the Exodus, with his Son for salvation, with the sending of the Holy Spirit and in the coming of eternal glory in heaven.

1 John 1:5 tells us that: “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) Light is symbol of all that is good and true and pure, and so John is saying that God is all good and there is nothing in him that is not good. One of the most basic things you can say about God is that God is good – all the time!

   B. Only God is good
      – Mark 10:18; Romans 3:23

Not only is God good. The Bible also tells us that only God is good. When the rich young man came up to Jesus and addressed him as “good teacher,” Jesus responded by saying: “Why do you call me good? No one is good – except God alone.” (Mark 10:18)

Some people get confused by Jesus’ response here. Was Jesus saying that he was not good because only God is good? But that’s not what Jesus says at all. He is really asking the question: “Why do you call me good unless you are also willing to call me God? Only God is good, so you can’t really call me good without also calling me God.”

There is no one good except God alone. We are certainly not good! The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Sadly, we are not good. We all fall short of God’s goodness and glory. Only God is good.

   C. God only does good
      – Psalm 119:68; Romans 8:28; James 1:17

God is good. Only God is good. And God only does good. Psalm 119:68 says about the Lord: “You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.” (Psalm 119:68) Whatever God does is good, because he is good, and he only does good.

Remember goodness in the Bible is not only inward goodness but outward goodness as well. In fact, it is outward goodness that specifically flows from inward goodness. And so, when we say God is good, we are not only saying he is intrinsically good but also that he does good and that he only does good.

Romans 8:28 tells us: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) As a believer you can be confident that whatever God works in your life, it is for your good. As Thomas Watson writes in his excellent book All Things for Good, “If it is good for us, we shall have it; if it is not good for us, then the withholding of it is good.” In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

James 1:17 tells us: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.” (James 1:17) All good things come from God, because God is good and all that he does is good.

   D. Jesus always did that which is good
      – John 8:29; Acts 10:38

God is good. Only God is good. God only does good. And then finally, Jesus always did that which is good. Jesus as the Son of God when he was here on earth always did that which is good.

Jesus, speaking of his Father, said in John 8:29: “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” (John 8:29) Jesus always pleased the Father. God is only pleased when we do good, and so that means Jesus always did that which is good.

Peter in Acts 10:38 describes: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” (Acts 10:38) Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples who followed him around and had first-hand access to how Jesus lived his life. And he sums up all of Jesus’ life as someone who went around doing good.

So, what does the Bible tell us about goodness and God? God is good. Only God is good. God only does good. And Jesus always did that which is good. God is good – all the time!

II. Goodness and the heart

So, we’ve looked at what the Bible tells us about goodness and God. Next, we want to see what the Bible tells us about goodness and the heart. If the fruit of goodness has to do with good deeds that flow from a good heart, then we need to understand what the Bible tells us about the heart.

   A. Good and evil both come from the heart
      – Matthew 15:19; Luke 6:43,45

First, the Bible tells us that good and evil both come from the heart. Good deeds flow from a good heart, and evil deeds flow from a wicked heart. Jesus said in Matthew 15:19: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” (Matthew 15:19) Evil deeds don’t just happen on their own. They spring from the heart.
Jesus said in Luke 6: “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit…. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:43,45) In other words, our actions show us up for who we are. That’s the first thing Bible tells us about goodness and the heart. Good and evil both come from the heart.

   B. Our hearts outside of Christ are desperately wicked
      – Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-12

Next, the Bible tells us that our hearts outside of Christ are desperately wicked. Jeremiah 17:9 says: “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) A lot of people think, “I’m a good person. My heart is not that bad.” Well, guess what? That’s your heart talking, and the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. What did you expect it to say? The NIV translates the phrase “desperately wicked” in this verse as “beyond cure.” In other words, our hearts are in terrible shape, and there is nothing we can do about it!

Romans 3:10-12 says: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12) The reason we don’t do good is because our hearts are not good. Fortunately, God does not save us because we are good, but because he is good.

Our hearts outside of Christ are desperately wicked, and that’s a problem! Just as a bad tree cannot bear good fruit, neither can our bad hearts produce good deeds that are pleasing to God. In order to do good deeds that are truly pleasing to the Lord, you need a new heart. You don’t need heart surgery. You need a transplant! You need a whole new heart if you are going to be good.

   C. God gives you a new heart when you trust Christ
      – Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 5:17

And praise God, that’s exactly what God does for you when you put your trust in Jesus as Savior. God promised in Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26) God knew that our old hearts were incapable of doing good, so he offers you a new heart to replace your old one.

God says in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) All things become new in Christ, including that old, deceitful heart of yours that could only produce evil. God gives you a new heart when you trust Christ, and now you can do good deeds that glorify God out of the goodness of your new heart.

What does the Bible tell us about goodness and the heart? Good and evil both come from the heart. Our hearts outside of Christ are desperately wicked. God gives you a new heart when you trust Christ.

III. Growing in goodness

We have looked at goodness and God. We have looked at goodness and the heart. Finally, we want to talk about growing in goodness. How do you grow in goodness? Of course, first of all you need that new heart, but once you’ve received your new heart through faith in Christ, there are several ways the Bible says you can now grow in goodness.

   A. Confess your sins and seek to live a holy life for God
      – Psalm 51:10; 1 John 1:9

First of all, the Bible tells you to confess your sins and seek to live a holy life for God. Psalm 51 is David’s great prayer of confession to the Lord. And as part of his confession of sin, David prays in verse 10: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) Only God can create a new heart for us, and only God can renew our hearts as many times as we need it. Psalm 51:10 is an appropriate prayer to pray when you first come to God through Jesus, and it is an appropriate prayer to pray every day after as well.

1 John 1:9 tells us: “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) Remember what we said at the beginning of the message: “I will grow in goodness as I allow the Spirit to purify my heart.” Confessing sin leads to a pure heart. When you confess your sins, God is faithful and just to forgive your sins and purify you from all unrighteousness. That’s the first way to grow in goodness. Confess your sins and seek to live a holy life for God.

   B. Seek to glorify God by doing good works
      – Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 2:12

Secondly, seek to glorify God by doing God works. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) Ephesians 2:10 says: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) 1 Peter 2:12 says: “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:12)

We were created for good works. We are called to imitate good and not evil (3 John 11). We are told never to tire of doing what is right (2 Thessalonians 3:13). The book of Amos says, “Seek good, not evil, that you may live” (Amos 5:14). The book of Romans says the man who does good seeks glory, honor and immortality (Romans 2:7). Romans 12:21 says, “Overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21). Galatians 6:10 says: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10).

Remember, the fruit of goodness is not just about being good but doing good. That’s a second way you can grow in goodness. Seek to glorify God by doing good works.

   C. Focus on things that are good and pure
      – Romans 12:9; Philippians 4:8

And then a third way you can grow in goodness is to focus on things that are good and pure. Romans 12:9 says: “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9) Philippians 4:8 says: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8) Focus on things that are good and pure, and you will find yourself growing in goodness.

   D. Ask God to develop the fruit of goodness in your life

And then finally, ask God to develop the fruit of goodness in your life. Remember the fruit of the Spirit is ultimately something that God does rather than you do. So, ask God to develop his fruit in your life.

CONCLUSION: The Bible tells us that the human heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. And so, yes, you need a new heart if you are going to grow in the fruit of goodness. Praise God, you receive that new heart when you trust Jesus as your Savior.

But even after we receive our new heart, we still struggle with the problem of indwelling sin. We must constantly be on guard, purifying our hearts out of reverence to God, confessing sin and asking God to continually purify us from all unrighteousness.

“I will grow in goodness as I allow the Spirit to purify my heart.” I pray that as result of our study of God’s word this morning that you will understand that the goodness of your deeds depends on the goodness of your heart. So, ask God to purify your heart that you may be full of good deeds that will benefit those around you and bring great glory to God. That’s what the fruit of goodness is all about.

© Ray Fowler

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Click here for more messages from the Fruit of the Spirit sermon series.
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