I remember talking to a person one time who commented that someone we knew was not just a Christian but a "Moral Christian."

What a commentary on Christianity as it is often practiced in today's world. Being moral and naming the name of Christ should go together, but altogether too often they do not. Instead, Christians very often evoke the same amoral pragmatism that we see around us in the world.

I hear Christians say things like, "Well, you can't be a Sunday School boy and succeed in business" and "So-and-so is a louse but you have to admit he gets the job done." I even heard one "Christian" Filipino lawyer describe himself with pride as being "meaner than a junk yard dog" in the courtroom.

What does all this talk about morality have to do with the fruit of the spirit called goodness? Well, the Greek word for goodness in this verse is Agathos which means moral goodness. In the Greek there are two words which are translated "good." One is doros which means good, practical, useful. Like I have a good computer at home. The other is agathos which means moral goodness. So, what this scripture is saying is that the spirit-filled life will be marked by moral and ethical behavior.

Unfortunately, in the world around us, making decisions based on moral principles is rarely practiced. And, in spite of the prevalent romantic image of the past, an honest look at history shows that morality has rarely been the deciding factor in making choices. Usually, pragmatism or practicality takes over. What works usually takes precedence over what's right.

Why is this? Well, the natural man works with a broken moral barometer. It's not that we don't care about what is right, or worse consciously decide to do evil, it's that we just don't know what the right thing is. So, instead of worrying about the ethics of a situation, we focus on the practicality.

Sadly, I've even seen ministries run in this manner. I know of a Minister here in Hong Kong who broke a promise he committed to a member of his church, and making excuses for his unchristian behaviour when confronted by this particular member. I've heard people involved in ministry justify unethical and downright deceptive behavior by saying "Well, it wasn't totally honest, but it worked." God does not sanction such "Ends justifies the Means" mentality. What the Holy Spirit does in your life is to restore the spiritual barometer so that you can address the difficult question of what is right in each situation. Of course, the first step in using that spiritual barometer is to simply ask the question. The second is to listen to the answer.

Lord, let my spiritual barometer be adjusted to your standards. Keep me focused on what is good, and then let me do that good thing. Amen and Amen.