Being full of goodness and able to instruct one another.
What are believers full of?
If you answered "sin", I don't blame you. It's true that our lives are marred by sin and our corrupt desires.
So it might surprise you to recall that Paul described his brothers and sisters in Christ at Rome differently. Though he candidly speaks of our fallen condition (just read Romans 1-3!), he also said they are filled with the Spirit—and "full of goodness."
Let's rejoice: God designed us for goodness! In Creation, God's delight was in pronouncing everything good—and his image bearers, "very good." And when we see humanity restored, in the person of Jesus, we see the definition of goodness. Jesus tells us a story about a good person—the Good Samaritan.
Some Christian celebrities haven't modelled goodness. Their priorities were charisma, eloquence, growth, platform. But what if God's people demonstrated goodness in their online interactions?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
Who do you know that is full of goodness? Why have they developed this reputation?
The Roman church was not only full of goodness, but filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. Do you feel prepared to do the same?
What vices do you need to ignore online? How can you demonstrate a genuine integrity in your online interactions?
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