And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty (Exodus 34:6-7). What really is goodness? Is it as some would say, complete tolerance and acceptance of all things? Others would mock goodness, calling someone a “goody two shoes” because they choose to follow God. Desiring to strictly guide one’s life by God’s moral laws, is at times demeaned by society. Goodness, as defined by Merriam Webster is the nutritious, flavorful or beneficial part of something or the quality of being good. Therefore, goodness must be, as in the scripture tempered with truth. It must include justice and righteousness; alongside forgiveness and mercy.
God’s goodness is His Mercy, His Grace providing a way for forgiveness while at the same time standing firm upon His Justice, His righteousness and Truth. Although He does provide mercy, forgiveness, and grace to all who come to Him with hearts broken by their own guilt and shame. Those who desire Him, accepting His gift of salvation. Yet, it is not clearing the guilty. The guilty being those who reject His gift of salvation, marching forward with their own selfish agenda to do things their way. Those who may even appear on the surface good; but, deny God as the only true source of goodness. Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:4,5). Goodness is forgiving the repentant sinner, while standing firm against sin.
God is Goodness
We must recognize that without God, we cannot be good. Without the help of the Holy Spirit providing us with goodness, we have none. There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Romans 3:10-12).
So, what are we to do? We are to like David recognize that only through the help of the Holy Spirit can we ever live lives reflecting God’s goodness.
Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.
2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
7I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16: 1,2, 7-11 (NKJV).
The Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
Goodness is seeking God, standing firm on His truth regardless of the society around us, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and minds. Then, we are to rest in His truth and trust His Sovereignty.
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Ephesians 5
Let us be the children of light into a darkened world, proclaiming the truth of the gospel. Then, God’s goodness will shine forth as the noonday sun on a cloud free day.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; Because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Previous Posts to Consider
A Gentle Spirit in the Face of Contempt. How?
What is Patience Really in the Face of Conflict?
One Failed Peacemaker and a Gracious God
In a World Divided How Can One Find Peace?
The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy
Displaying the Fruit of the Spirit Love. How?
Perfect in Love Oh How Can it Be?
Is Your Fruit of Love Sweet or Bitter?
How Does God Prepare the Soil for Growth?
What Fruit is the Garden of Your Heart Producing?
How to Discern the Voice of God from Yours?
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Footnote and Credits
The photo is by Melissa Askew. The inscription I added.