The Fruit of the Spirit – Goodness
The lecture discusses goodness as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, explaining that true goodness is a relative goodness granted to humanity through the work of God’s grace and the human response to it, not the absolute goodness that belongs to God alone. Goodness is manifested through distancing oneself from sin and positively living a virtuous life, until the soul reaches a state of complete rejection of sin.
First: The Spiritual Meaning of Goodness
Goodness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, meaning it is the result of cooperation between the work of the Holy Spirit in the human being and the human response to this work. It is not absolute perfection, but a gradual spiritual growth in righteousness according to God’s grace and human spiritual struggle.
Second: Goodness and Avoiding Sin
Goodness has a negative aspect, which is avoiding sin, and a positive aspect, which is walking in virtue. A good person does not merely refrain from evil, but lives an active life filled with love, righteousness, and purity. As a person grows in goodness, they become unable to commit sin—not out of weakness, but because of inner rejection of it.
Third: God’s Means to Support Goodness
God has provided many means to help humanity live in goodness, such as:
- Creation in the image and likeness of God
- The divine incarnation in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ as the perfect example of goodness
- Baptism and the renewal of human nature
- The indwelling of the Holy Spirit
- The work of divine grace
- Conscience and divine commandments
- Spiritual guidance and the holy sacraments
Fourth: The Role of Divine Discipline
The teaching emphasizes that punishment is not revenge, but a divine means for correction and salvation. God uses commandments, grace, the Holy Spirit, and when necessary discipline, to lead humanity toward goodness and the salvation of the soul.
Spiritual Conclusion
Goodness is the path to the Kingdom of Heaven, and only the righteous may enter the Heavenly Jerusalem. Therefore, the believer is called to live with spiritual discipline, keeping God constantly before their eyes, striving for a pure life that pleases God, because goodness is a true fruit of life according to the Spirit.
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