Fruit Of The Spirit: Goodness
Envision what you would consider a really good day -- your ideal day if you could do anything, anywhere, at any time. Mine would start with good coffee and some quiet time on a porch in the mountains, followed by a big breakfast. Then I would spend the day hanging out with friends and family on a boat at the lake, playing games, swimming, and enjoying time together. We would enjoy a big fun dinner out somewhere, and to top it all off, we would end the night sitting by a fire, making s’mores and enjoying fellowship. If I could snap my fingers and make this day happen tomorrow, that would be awesome, right?
I have a feeling this is pretty subjective, though. My good day might not sound so good to you. That’s the hard part with the word good. The word good is subjective because its meaning is dependent on individual perspectives, preferences, and contexts. What one person considers good may not be perceived the same way by another.
But where do we look when we look at the nature of God and what truly defines good? Goodness is rooted in God's perfect and unchanging nature, serving as a basis for evaluating everything. The Bible tells us that the word good actually means holy, pure, and righteousness. God is good, God only does good, and only God is good.
Scripture overflows with the ways in which the Lord is good and sovereign in our lives. It is replete with descriptions that point to His kindness, mercy, grace, and steadfast love. These promises are not subjective however, like my “best day ever,” but objective truths about our Father.
God’s goodness is vastly abundant. He’s full of mercy and grace (Exodus 34:6, Psalm 31:9), and His goodness never stops following us (Psalm 23:6). Every good thing comes from Him (James 1:17). He fills our hungry souls with good things (Psalm 107:8-9). God is good, He does good, and He loves to give good gifts to His children (Psalm 119:68; Luke 11:13).
How do we recognize this goodness in our everyday life?
In order to recognize God's goodness, I think we also need to recognize God's grace. Grace is the free and sovereign work of God to do what we cannot do. It is unmerited and undeserved, and it covers all aspects of life. When you look at grace as something that not only forgives and sanctifies, but also empowers and celebrates, you see that it is not bound only to good situations. \
I see glimpses of grace in the way the Lord has protected me from temptations and led me to Christ-centered friendships. I see grace in how the Lord continually renews my desire to seek more of Him and his word. I see grace in not hitting one single red light driving downtown, so I get to my summer internship on time. Open your eyes to see that this grace is in every little step of your day, leading you on a path that looks like more of His will and ways.
When you can better grasp grace, you also see that goodness isn't just bound to the ‘good’. Goodness becomes the Lord’s sovereign care over a hard decision you have to make, a door closed on something in your life even when you can’t see the next open one yet, and His unwavering comfort as He draws you tightly to Him in times of deep grief and sorrow. Only the goodness and grace of God could have comforted me in times of unexpected loss of my grandfather and uncle, and by his strength remind me that “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for He is with me.” Psalm 23:4. Even this suffering can be a vessel of God's grace, leading to spiritual growth and a deeper love and trust in Him. Only by the power of our good God.
Psalm 145:9 says,
“The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.”
And John 1:16 says,
“For from his fullness we have received, grace upon grace”
Goodness stretches over all aspects of life. His Mercy covers us and never runs dry. One of my favorite quotes, which my dear college mentor shared with me, says “Christ is no less good to us today than the day when he hung on the cross for our sins. And he will not be less good to us tomorrow because He can't be less good.” He CAN’T be less good, it is not in his nature. Let that sink in. This is Goodness!
And he is good to US! How incredible! Undeserving sinners of the fall, yet our kind and good father chose to send his one and only son to suffer for us.
Because of the goodness of God in the person of Christ, we can experience the forgiveness of sins, we need not fear death, and we can look forward to eternal life in the presence of God.
Praise GOD from whom all blessings flow!
So, I challenge you to wrestle with these questions,
- Do I REALLY believe that God is good, ALL of the time?
- Do I live in a way that shows God's goodness to others?
- What are ways that I can open my eyes to see the grace and goodness of God in the everyday, mundane parts of my life?
And lastly,
- What would your perfect, ideal, “good” day be? - I really want to hear it!
God,
You are truly good. Your goodness is evident in your creation and your works. Thank you for your word and the promise that every good and perfect gift comes from you, and that your goodness is constant and unchanging. You are good in your justice, your mercy, and your love. Help us to trust the ways in which you are doing good works in our lives. We thank you for the ways we have seen your faithfulness and the fruit of goodness through the many blessings you have provided for us. You are sovereign and have providentially cared for us as your beloved children. Therefore, help us to live in a way every day that reflects your goodness to others, so that they might see the actions and behaviors of our faith and glorify You, our Father in heaven. Thank you for Christ, and the goodness of God that comes in the promise of the cross.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen
