It isn’t always easy to extend God’s goodness to people. They give us plenty of opportunities to find it difficult!
So, when someone aggravates us, mistreats us, or is just downright rude, we have a choice—get mad and lash out or be like our heavenly Father and express “goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14, KJV).
Let’s be real—doing this in the face of difficult people is not something we can do in our own power. Instead, we have to choose to yield to God and His goodness within us to overcome the selfish tendencies of our flesh.
Unsaved people don’t have the nature of God within them. They’re still living in the kingdom of darkness. So, when they’re under pressure, they follow their natural, worldly thoughts and emotions. They’re automatically selfish and looking out for themselves.
Jesus said it’s impossible for a bad tree to bear good fruit. So, don’t be surprised and upset when unbelievers bear bad fruit. Realize it’s normal for them because they’re still joined to the bad tree of sin.
For us as believers, however, bearing bad fruit is not normal at all. We’ve been grafted into the good tree of God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Because we’re in Him and He’s in us, we are “full of goodness” (Romans 15:14).
Remember that the next time someone does you wrong. You’re a good tree, and you are to bear good fruit. When you do, you’ll walk in the blessings God has in store for you.