Goodness as the Fruit of the Light

Goodness

(Ephesians 5:9)

“Was I really that selfish? Did I truly lack consideration for others? I’ve accomplished so many important things! Surely, Lord, You know that, don’t You? I even performed many mighty works in Your name!” To this, the Lord responds, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me! I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

1. Truth of Faith
There are those who view goodness as unrelated to faith or even as something that hinders it. They may consider themselves as spiritual, but their lives, which oppose God’s will, will bear evil fruit. Those who seek to move forward to God should have faith, but how does God confirm the truth of faith? Is it by the depth of knowledge or the magnitude of accomplishments? What God looks for is goodness in the heart and the good deeds that flow from it.

2. Good Heart
Those with a wicked heart may pretend to be good, but over time, the unrighteousness and lies filling their hearts will inevitably be exposed. In contrast, those with a good heart strive to fulfill their responsibilities and duties, even at personal cost. They not only cherish the grace they have received but also remain faithful to the end. Therefore, while having the willingness to do what is right and what must be done is important, what is even more important is possessing a good heart.

3. Fruit of the Light
The Holy Spirit works to change our hearts to be good. We, who were once greedy and selfish, become good because the light shines on our conscience. When that light reveals our shameful flaws, if we repeatedly ignore them, there will come a point when we can no longer sense the light. On the other hand, if we acknowledge our evils revealed by the light and work to correct them, the very foundation of our hearts will begin to resemble God, who is good. The more this happens, the more beautiful deeds will be evident in our lives.

Overseer Sung-Hyun Kim