And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:9-10

Not long ago, I heard a brief profile of a man who was a pillar in his community. He was described as a good man, but what is goodness? One definition of goodness states that goodness is the quality of being good, possessing virtue and moral excellence.

We live in a place and time much like what is described by the prophet Isaiah where there are those who “call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

Even in a world that seems a lot more gray than black and white, I think most of us recognize goodness. But goodness is not just some internal set of rules someone follows. Godly goodness is consistently directed outside of ourselves. We see it in the person who cares for orphans and widows, the person who selflessly gives to others, and even in the person who is willing to tell a friend an uncomfortable truth.

James reminds us that God is the source of the goodness in our lives, but He allows and encourages us to be engaged with the process as the Spirit is at work in our lives.