What is goodness? Goodness is not so much what we do, but who we are! When someone called Jesus, “good teacher,” he said no one is good except God. Goodness is walking in integrity in every area of life. We will not get this perfect until we are with God, but we can certainly progress and allow God’s work within us to produce goodness in and through our lives.

Integrity and goodness walk hand in hand. Integrity is doing the right thing in every situation. Being good (as God sees good) comes with a cost. It will cost you financially. Not lying on a resume, not cheating on a test, not enhancing the profit potential will likely keep you from some job you may want, a raise you desire, and in general we are talking money! Many are willing to do whatever it takes for profit. It’s easy to excuse a little white lie or bending the truth a bit. But the truth is the truth and it is easily recognizable to the person of integrity. It’s either the truth or it’s not!

Integrity will also cost you relationally. The person who puts forth 100% effort on the job, because it’s the right thing to do, will probably not win any popularity contest. A Godly work ethic insults the lazy. The person who doesn’t cheat, take advantage, or misrepresent themselves is a freak of nature! Who does that? It will also cost you in your friendships. If there are conversations and activities that you don’t want to participate in because of your integrity, you will be sidelined, not part of the gang.

With such a high cost, what’s the up side? 1) Inner Peace. Integrity allows you to walk with inner peace, without guilt, knowing you did the right thing. 2) Investment. Though you sometimes have to step back to step up, walking in integrity does get noticed by those who admire and respect honesty. Allow God to lift you up through your goodness and integrity. 3) Influence. You are being watched. As a parent, a friend, an employee, a follower of Jesus Christ, you are under scrutiny. When you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you, you will be fruitful, full of goodness, salt and light in a world that is sadly lacking God’s goodness! 4) Satisfaction. Knowing you are pleasing God brings deep spiritual satisfaction. As you learn that you can’t please everyone, but pleasing God is enough, you find a level of contentment and joy that only God can provide.

Scriptures – 2 Peter 1:5 (NIV); Galatians 5:22-23(CEB); John 15:8(CEB); Isaiah 55:9(NRSVUE); Proverbs 11:3(NIV); Proverbs 28:6(NLT); Proverbs 29:10(NIV); Proverbs 10:9(NIV); Proverbs 16:13(NIV); Proverbs 20:7(GNT); 1 Chronicles 29:17(NIV)

Verses – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Ga 5:22-23) For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness;… (2 Pe 1:5); The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. (Pr 11:3) Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. (Pr 10:9)

Questions – Is anything hindering you from being a person of integrity? If so, why do you continue to allow it to hold you back? What do you need to do to progress? Has integrity cost you? If so, explain. What benefits of integrity have you experienced personally or witnessed in others? How has someone’s integrity or lack of it impacted you?

Prayer – Dear God, thank you for being full of goodness. We sing that You are our Good, Good Father, and that You are good, all the time! Help those truths to compel us to live holy lives, turning from the wrong and seeking to do what it right, honest, and honoring to You! May we bear much fruit and glorify Your Name! This we pray in the precious Name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord, amen.