What does it mean to be a good person?

That's a tough question. I'm sure you have as big of a definition as I do.

For the most part, we can probably look at these two verses and think this makes up a good, short list of what it means to be a good person.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

Each week we've been talking about how this list goes beyond the idea of being "good" or "nice". This list is a sequence of qualities that are part of who God is that he has implanted into us (through the Holy Spirit). This week we are focusing on conversations of patience and kindness. And I can think of no two qualities that describe "good" people. My mother is an extremely patient grandmother. My own grandmothers were extremely patient with me. They are both kind as well. In fact, I am pretty sure I thought my great-grandmother looked like God until I was around 10 years old.

But patience and kindness go significantly beyond the conception of a nice grandmother.

Even though we speak in this way, beloved, we are confident of better things in your case, things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, 12 so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:9-12

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Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 1:4 NLT

What if patience and kindness are something much bigger than simply being nice and good?