Fruit of the Holy Spirit: Goodness, Longanimity and Mildness

Fruit of the Holy Spirit:

The fruit of the Holy Spirit are simply the physical expressions of our faith in Christ Jesus. It is defined as the summation of all the characteristics of our new life in Christ.

Please read the concept of the new life in Christ here.

Christianity is a practical way of life that cannot be hidden from our neighbors. Apparently, the early disciples did not directly call themselves christians ab initio. Rather, the people around them observed how they lived a common life in obedience to Christ's command. Indeed, it was for this reason that they were called christians in Antioch.

• Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch - Acts 11: 25-26.

Note: The early disciples lived under the influence of the Holy spirit. For this reason, the people called them christians since the fruit of the spirit was eminent in the way the lived a common life.

Generally, the fruit of the Holy Spirit are classified into twelve. They include the following:

1. Charity

2. Joy

3. Peace

4. Patience

5. Benignity

6. Goodness

7. Longanimity

8. Mildness

9. Faith 

10. Modesty

11. Continency

12. Chastity

The fruit of the Holy Spirit: charity, joy, peace patience and benignity are explained here.

In this article, we will elaborate on goodness, longanimity, and mildness as fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Goodness

Goodness is a characteristic of God, and it is embedded in his justice and mercy simultaneously. Goodness is a state of life that requires one to be generous, kind, loving, helpful, honest, sympathetic, selfless, considerate, and morally upright. In this regard, goodness is often directed toward others, be it friends, enemies or neutrals. Joseph in the old testament showed the action of goodness to his brothers who had once attempted to kill him.

Please read on the leadership qualities of Joseph that had transformed lives here.

Goodness should be a way of life for christians regardless its benefactors, or the circumstances surrounding it. In this regard, it doesn't care about tribe, race, sex, religion, physical attributes, and even personality. For instance, we are commanded to be good towards our enemies. In fact, Jesus affirmed that we must repay their evil with good if we are to be considered as God's children.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:43-45

As christians, the act of doing good is first borne out of our love for God, followed by love for neighbor. Sometimes, risky circumstances may present itself as an opportunity to accomplish a good act. For instance, a homeless stranger may beg us for shelter during a cold night. Of course, this can be dangerous in itself, but that should not deter us from helping him or her if we can. Therefore, we should always render the service of doing good since this is a requirement towards achieving our heavenly goal.

• Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me - Matthew 25:34-36.

You can read on Jesus'teaching on giving here.

The bible recorded that Jesus went about doing good (Acts 10:38). He emphasized the importance of goodness by narrating a story specifically on this subject. This is the parable of the good Samaritan as contained in the gospel of Luke.

• In reply Jesus said: 'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ - Luke 10:30-35.

You can read key points in crs here.

Goodness as a fruit of the Holy Spirit is a criteria for eternal life (Matthew 25:31-46). This very act can melt our neighbors' heart, and even reconcile them to God. Meanwhile, understand that charity in the form of goodness can cover a multitude of sins.

Goodness is not expected to be carried out from our own selfish reasons, or out of pretence. For instance, a person may seem to be good to you only because of his or her selfish goals; and will show their evil nature after such goals had been achieved. On the contrary, our only reason for doing good must be borne out of love for God, and our neighbors; for in doing this, we fulfill the summary of God's commandment.

• You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets - Matthew 22:37-40.

Please read on the importance of forgiveness here.

Longanimity

Longanimity, sometimes referred to as long-suffering, forbearance, or perseverance; refers to the action of quietly enduring injuries, hardships, trials, sufferings, pains, abuses, and offenses through an extraordinary patience and resignation to God. 

The sufferings of longanimity can be so long to an extent that one may not reap the rewards in his or her lifetime on earth. However, a greater glory awaits such people in heaven according to the spoken words of Jesus.

• Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you - Matthew 5:11-12.

Please read why sufferings and pains exist.

Longanimity is quite similar to another fruit of the Holy Spirit, and that's patience. However, there exist some differences between longanimity and patience. A catholic priest, St. Thomas Aquinas in his book 'Summa Theologiae', made clarification on both fruits of the Spirit.

Simply put, you can think of longanimity as an extra form of patience that focuses on the eventual glory, and not on the problems faced. Just as the biblical woman had suffered the issue of blood for twelve years, longanimity requires the individual to look up to God, and never on the obstacles, difficulties or problems. In this manner, one with longanimity can suffer for a very long time and still remain steadfast and faithful to God.

• A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.' Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering - Mark 5:25-29.

Please response to sufferings and the beauty of suffering here.

The church, as formed by Jesus and handed down to his apostles has faced innumerable trials and obstacles. In fact, this virtue of longanimity is one of the reasons why the church survived her most difficult moments. The twelve apostles of Jesus endured sufferings for the sake of the body of Christ (which happens to be the church). In this regard, tradition holds it that with the exception of John the beloved, the rest of the apostles were persecuted and eventually killed. As an instance, Peter requested his crucifiers to crucify him upside down after declaring that he isn't worthy to die as his Master (Jesus).

Please read on the concept of justification by faith here.

It is noteworthy to state that sufferings encountered in the name of Christ is a vital part of christianity. Jesus himself stated emphatically that it is a condition towards becoming his disciples.

• Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me' - Luke 9:23.

Mildness

Jesus was indeed mild throughout his time on earth. For one to be considered as mild, he or she should be meek, humble, forgiving, thankful and gentle at heart. Mildness in this regard is best shown during adverse circumstances.

• Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light - Matthew 11:28-30.

You can read on the early years of Jesus here.

There's something special about this virtue of mildness, and God loves it so much; and little wonder why He has always shown it to us. The very act of God sending His only begotten Son into our world (John 3:16) is a testament of His mildness. Consequently, the bible recorded that Jesus went about doing good, healing the sick, and proclaiming the good news. For this reason, He gained a large pool of followership to Himself. Meanwhile, understand that Jesus frequently showed compassion towards the sinners, and would even share a meal with them.

Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, 'Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?' Jesus answered them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.'

Luke 5:29-32

You can read motivational quotes for students here.

We are expected to show the action of mildness towards God and our neighbors. Importantly, we should be mild with the use of our words and actions. This is particularly vital because a spoken word, or an action performed,, as simple as it could be, may either become strengthening or demoralizing. In fact, many had been saved through the power of words spoken with mildness. A typical example is seen in the conversation between Jesus and the woman caught in adultery.

• When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you? 'No, Lord,' she said. And Jesus said, 'Neither do I. Go and sin no more' - John 8:9-11.

Please read on Jesus' teaching on forgiveness here.

Note: On the contrary, various evils, and even suicide had been committed by victims of cruel words, bullying and the likes.

We should be careful not to use the context of mildness on only those who cares for us in return. Rather, we should extend our acts of mildness to strangers and enemies. Furthermore, it is noteworthy to state that the extension of mildness to our enemies isn't a form of weakness.

Being mild, meek and gentle should never be interpreted as weakness. In fact, it should be considered as strength and self-control. You can think of it as a controlled strength. For this reason, the meek will inherit the earth.

• Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth - Matthew 5:5.

You can attempt questions and answers in crs here.

As bold as St. Paul was, he showed himself to be rather mild, humble and gentle with the people of Corinth. This is quoted below:

• By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you. I, Paul, who am 'timid' when face to face with you, but 'bold' toward you when away! - 2nd Corinthians 10:1.

Please read on modesty and continency as fruit of the Holy Spirit here.