Goodness as Fruit of the Spirit: Bridging Grace and Works

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV).

The Invitation and Orientation (John 6:37; John 6:44)

Imagine receiving a promotional email from the “Divine Wind Tour Company.” The invitation announces an upcoming “Goodness Walking Tour.”

The tour includes a meal and promises eternal rewards for those who complete the walk. The tour is free of charge. Participants who complete the walk and accept a Gift may also be invited to serve as tour guides on future walks.

On the designated day, about 50 people “come as they are” as instructed and gather around an old wooden bench at the trail head clearing. We are greeted by the tour guide, a fit and friendly fellow, who proceeds to tell us the following:

“God has invited each of you by name. You aren’t required to be here today, and you can choose to leave the path any time you like. He just asks that you keep an open mind and heart as you make your way to the ‘Grace and Works Bridge.’ That’s where we’ll have lunch. Along the way, you’ll be greeted by special guests who have a message for you.

The Question: Who Are You?

As we begin walking, the tour guide asks about our lives and what we do.

Several proudly announce their professional titles, including those of medical doctors and professors, along with their list of accomplishments.

Others indicate they are entrepreneurs with life-saving patents to their credit.

Still others are carpenters, brick layers, stay-at-home moms, students, and a circus clown.

The tour guide sensed that one person hadn’t shared his profession. He called on the man, who simply said, “I’ve done nothing good in my life and just showed up because I had nowhere else to go. I needed the free lunch.” The tour guide just smiles.

The Awakening: “No one is Good, No Not One” (Romans 3:10)

We keep walking in silence, thinking about who God has assembled for this walking tour to the “Grace and Works Bridge.”

As we come to a clearing in the trail, a man steps forward, as if out of thin air, and says, “Welcome! I’m Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God! Some of you have never read God’s Word, so I am here to tell you that none of you are good–no not one!”

We could sense the tension in the group.

Then a few among us blurt out, “How dare you say we are not good! Haven’t we saved lives and donated our time to any charity that asked for our celebrity endorsement? We are leaving this tour group!”

About twenty-five percent of our group departs at the first awakening. They were upset, but we knew it was just a bruised ego that took them out. “Perhaps they’ll be invited to a future walk?” someone said.

Our tour guide politely interrupts the chatter, “I Am counting on you to learn the lessons from the tour, as they will be applied to other tour routes. Ready? Keep following Me.”

The Understanding: God Alone is Good | Rich Man’s Dilemma (Matthew 19:17-24)

We see another clearing ahead and instinctively brace for the next “lesson.” We see an image that most call “Jesus.” Jesus says, “Do you recall the young ruler who called me ‘Good Teacher’? How did I respond to him?”

Someone respectfully raises her hand and says, “Lord, You said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is God.”

Another woman says, “You also reminded him of what he needed to do to have eternal life, which was keeping the commandments.”

Our tour guide joins the conversation, saying, “Why did the rich man leave unhappy?”

“Because Jesus told him to go, sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor, and then come and follow Him. He couldn’t let go of his wealth.”

Jesus says, “At this moment, I am quietly asking some of you to do the same thing.”

One by one, more people in our group begin to turn away and leave the tour. We are now left with 25 people. Half of the group has fallen out because of pride or possessions. We press on toward the Grace and Works Bridge.

The Grace and Works Bridge

In the distance, we see a beautiful ancient stone bridge. A small stream flows gently underneath. Picnic tables are set and prepared for our lunch. The sun is shining. The group is happy, especially the man who came for the free lunch!

As we relax and enjoy our sandwiches and chips, the tour guide stands to get our attention. He says, “The Goodness Tour is unique. Everyone is invited, but few are selected. Some believe that if they make it this far, the journey is over. Not hardly. “

Someone asked, “What is the Gift you mentioned in the beginning?”

The Work Begins After Grace is Received

The Tour Guide opens a Bible to John 3:16 and reads, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

That is the Gift offered to those who reach the Grace and Works Bridge. The Divine Wind Tour Company raises people's awareness of what is expected before they arrive at the Bridge.

We want people to know they must humble themselves before God, check their ego, and be willing to “possess” nothing as they pick up their cross and follow Christ Jesus.

The Tour Guide says, “Each of you has said ‘yes’ to Jesus and now understands why this is called the Grace and Works Bridge. Who can tell us?”

On this side of the Bridge, regardless of one’s place on the path, none are good. No, not one. No matter how much “good” we do in the world, only God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is good. That is, only God possesses the “Goodness” character.

However, once we believe in Jesus, make Him our Lord and Savior, acknowledge our sinful nature, and repent, then we possess the fruit of the Spirit (including Goodness).

We do not earn the Fruit of the Spirit, including goodness, by our good works. It is a gift–God’s grace. We just need to accept it on His terms. Now, we are justified in His sight. No longer filthy. On the sanctification path that leads over the Grace and Works Bridge.

For those of us who are justified, the work is just beginning. Lunch time is over.

We are being sent marching across the Grace and Works Bridge on our God-given mission. Some will visit the sick in hospitals, and others will minister to the homeless. Preachers are needed on Chicago streets, and wells need to be dug in Africa. A few will feel the call to serve as Tour Guides. No matter the calling, all is done for the glory and honor of God. He alone is worthy.

You are welcome to join us on the next Divine Wind Tour Company adventure! In our next tour, we'll explore what daily life looks like for those walking in Spirit-produced goodness on the far side of the bridge...

Image: Jem Sahagun via Unsplash