Goodness: The Spirit's Velvet Touch
God's goodness is the velvet softness covering the firm path of righteousness—His gentleness in motion through us.
Based on “Days of Heaven Upon Earth” by A.B. Simpson
Photo Credit: Unsplash
A.B. Simpson points us today to a sweet and gentle distinction—a difference not in substance, but in tone. Goodness, he writes, is not merely about being upright or righteous in a moral or ethical sense. It’s deeper than inflexible justice. It’s love in motion. Goodness, as a fruit of the Spirit, is the tender, warm, compassionate outflow of Christ’s life in us. Simpson contrasts the righteous man—who may be granite-like in character and integrity—with the good man, whose life is softened by grace, covered in velvet moss, spring-fed, and flower-draped. The good man is one through whom the loving benevolence of God flows freely—one who rejoices with the joyful, weeps with the brokenhearted, and lives moment by moment in affectionate union with the heart of Christ for others. This goodness is not our own—it is the very character of God being expressed in us. Simpson’s longing is that we would be filled with such divine life, so that this world would be touched by God’s own kindness through us.
Personalized Journal Entry – In the Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
You were recreated in Me to be filled with goodness, for you are My workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which I prepared beforehand for you to walk in. This fruit you bear is not manufactured by your effort; it flows from My life within you, for you are rooted and grounded in love.
I have poured My love into your heart, and with it comes a quiet stream of goodness—kindness that pauses for the hurting, joy that bubbles up for the rejoicing, sympathy that moves toward the weary. You are no longer darkness, but light in Me. Walk as a child of light, for the fruit of light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.
As you yield to Me, I express through you the gentleness of Christ, the mercy of the Father, the beauty of holiness clothed in humility. This goodness you now live is not a goal to achieve but a gift to release, for you have been made partakers of the divine nature.
There will be weary ones in your path today—souls crushed by life, hearts aching with silent sorrow. Let Me meet them through you. Let your words be seasoned with grace. Let your presence become a resting place, for when you abide in Me, you become a vessel of living compassion.
You are an ambassador of My goodness, walking velvet-footed through a wounded world.
(Ephesians 2:10, Romans 5:5, Ephesians 5:8–9, 2 Peter 1:4, Colossians 4:6)
Prayer
Father, I praise You for giving me Your Spirit, and with Him, every fruit that reflects Your nature. I trust that Your goodness already dwells in me, not as a virtue I must attain, but as a Person living through me. Today, I simply yield. I trust You to express Your kindness through my tone, Your tenderness through my presence, and Your love through my choices. Thank You for not asking me to imitate goodness, but for making me a living expression of Your heart. In Christ, I walk forward, expecting You to touch others through me. Amen.