MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
April 23, 2025
The Goodness ‘Fruit’ of the Holy Spirit
TRUE GOODNESS IS TRUE GREATNESS
Bible prophecy sadly reveals the fearful truth that in these last days of earth “the kings of and great men of the earth” will be manifest in stark contrast to God’s faithful humble men (women and young ones, too), who are great in His sight and heaven’s estimation, though obscure, ridiculed, despised, and hated by the former and the world-at-large. But as Jesus apprised His first Twelve: “The servant is not greater than his Master. If they hated Me without a cause, they will hate you also.”
Indeed, as the wiseman declared, “A good man obtaineth favor of the Lord.” (Prov. 4:2, KJV).
God’s last-day messenger and humble servant wrote:
“True goodness is accounted of Heaven as true greatness. The condition of the MORAL AFFECTIONS determines the WORTH of man [or woman]. A person may have PROPERTY [wealth] and INTELLECT, and yet be VALUELESS, because the GLOWING FIRE OF GOODNESS has never burned in the ALTAR of his heart.” – Vol. 2 Testimonies, p. 305.
True goodness is not natural to fallen, sinful, finite, mortal sinners. The carnal mind, in fact, is “at enmity” against God’s holy law and Christ’s righteous character. And “all we like sheep have gone astray” for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
True “goodness is the RESULT of divine power TRANSFORMING [fallen, sinful] human nature. By believing in Christ [and all that fully comprehends], the fallen race He has redeemed [by His supreme condescension in the incarnation, “the mystery of godliness,” (1 Tim. 3:16) and His justifying blood obtained in His atoning sacrificial death as the Lamb of God at Calvary may obtain ‘the faith that works by love’ [Gal. 5:6) and purifies the soul from all [moral and spiritual] defilement. The CHRISTLIKE attributes appear; for by beholding Christ [by living faith] men become CHANGED into the same image [moral character]. GOOD FRUIT IS PRODUCED [in the ‘tree;’ a symbol of man]. The character is fashioned AFTER the divine similitude [likeness; image], and INTEGRITY, UPRIGHTNESS, AND TRUE [not transactional or simulated] BENEVOLENCE are manifested toward the sinful race [fellow men].” E. G. White Manuscript 42, 1900.
“The Lord has placed every human being on test and trial [in man’s second and last probation; Adam, the father of mankind, failed the simple test in the first one, in Eden]. He desires to try and prove us, to see if we will BE GOOD AND DO GOOD IN THIS LIFE [only according to His standard of goodness defined by His law “which is holy, just, and good,’ and His modeled example of “being made perfect by the things which He suffered.’ (Heb. 5: 8, 9)]—to see if He can trust us with ETERNAL RICHES, and make us MEMBERS of the ROYAL FAMILY, children of the Heavenly King.” – Letter 15, 1899.
“There is NO LIMIT TO THE GOOD that you [and I] may do. [Here’s why and how]. “IF you make the Word of God the RULE of your life, and GOVERN your actions by its precepts, making all your PURPOSES AND EXERTIONS in the FULFILLING of your duty AS A BLESSING AND NOT A CURSE [or heaven burden] TO OTHERS, success will crown your efforts. You have placed yourself IN CONNECTION with God; you have become a CHANNEL OF LIGHT to others. You are honored by becoming CO-LABORERS with Jesus, and no higher honor can you receive than the blessed benediction from the lips of the Savior: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’” (62) Messages to Young People, p. 125.
Just to finally hear these sweetest words alone spoken from Jesus’ own lips addressed to me, so undeserving a sinner, is worth continuing to strive for in our shared earthly trials and tribulations as finite mortals, before He finally returns! Don’t you think so, fellow pilgrim?
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.