THE GLORY OF GOD ( PART 63 )

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3361

THE GLORY OF GOD ( PART 63 )

From Glory to Glory ( Study #42)

Walking By The Spirit #12
The Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness #1

In many ways, Goodness is like Kindness. It anticipates and fulfills the needs of others.

In Greek, the difference between Agathosune (Goodness) and Chrestotes (Kindness) is interesting.

Agathosune ( Goodness ) will correct and rebuke when necessary, whereas Chrestotes ( Kindness ) simply seeks to help.

Goodness is both tender and tough. Though most of the time “Goodness” is helping and encouraging people, it also includes “tough love” when the situation calls for it.

We must be tough about the right things, in the right way, at the right time, and for the right reason. We cannot — we must not — shy away from the tough things we need to say but we must say it with love, grace and wisdom.

Jesus showed Agathosune when He cleansed the temple and drove out the money-changers; He showed 

Chrestotes when He was kind to the sinning woman who anointed His feet.

Abba Father, Goodness is Agathosune, a Greek word unique to the NT. It does not occur in secular Greek writing. One aspect of this virtue is integrity. It is living and working with consistent, principle-centered behavior. It is being the same person in every situation, rather than being a hypocrite or a phony. It is the idea of “virtue in all circumstances."

Let us grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. (2 Peter 3:18)