We can not all be rich, handsome, or popular, but by the grace of God we can be good. The goodness of which we speak is not a goodness rooted in ourselves. This is speaking of a goodness that flows through us by the Spirit; it is the fruit of Him being in us. I think that this is something of what the Psalmist meant when he said, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23a (NKJV). The Spirit-inspired goodness of Barnabas brought lots of people to the Lord. “They sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord” (Acts 11:22b-24 NIV). May it be so with you and me.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23a NASB).
