Fruits of the Spirit - Goodness

Today's reading was about the fruit of the spirit - Goodness. There were several examples of how people had done all the right things and been praised for those acts. They felt they were justified by their acts.  Then they were convicted (the Holy Spirit is always at work). They realized that all the good things they did, their good behavior, their kind words, etc. were all done so that they could "look good." They received praise and honor for it, but it wasn't really about displaying God's love.  

You have to give them credit. At least they behaved in a way that people respected them.  Isn't that what they wanted?  However, as they soon realize, saying nice things, always "appearing" to be considerate, didn't save their soul...and didn't make them the hands and feet of Christ either.  They received their reward on this earth...praise from others.  They did not receive their reward in heaven as that is NOT about works. It is about believing in Christ and then trying to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and then loving our neighbor as ourselves (as Christ loves us).  That is very different.

I watch people who are so sweet to everyone all the time, and I wonder what I am doing wrong. I am not a sweet person. I am an honest person. I try to be honest, yet not too blunt (doesn't work all the time), and that makes me NOT the sweetest person in the world. So, as I mulled over today's devotional, the scriptures, the comments from the devotional, I realized that I can stop beating myself up for being honest. The people who are so sweet, might not be doing it because it is from God...it is from their desire to please others on this earth.  Well, I don't have to worry about that!  As I said, I am honest and that becomes blunt sometimes. So, I am not being hypocritical and trying to please man.  

Lest I pat myself on the back, my problem is that I am so concerned about honesty that I forget about other people's feelings! Yikes!  I have had to work on this my whole life, and I have to ensure that I am doing this for God's glory, not just to be honest...just as I am sure people who are always nice have to work on being genuine and ensuring it is for God's glory and not theirs. 

So, I guess we are all in the same boat.  We all need to focus on God and giving Him the glory, not us!  Hmmm, I still have so much to learn and so much growing to do!  I guess that means I am still alive on this earth!

Another aspect that I noticed today, was that whether we are trying to be honest or sweet to everyone, we have to ensure that we are in a right relationship with God. Sweet people aren't necessarily save, and honest people are not necessarily saved.  Do we believe in Jesus Christ, God's own son, His death, God raising Him from the dead, that He died so that are sins can be forgiven and we can someday live in heaven and eternity with a Holy God who knows no sin?  If not, then all of our acts are in vein; if we do believe, then we should be careful that everything we do is for God's glory and not ours.

Father, please help me to focus on you at all times...not myself!  Please help me to share your glory, goodness, mercy, patience, love, joy, hope, and goodness with others all the time.  Please help me!