How do we see God's goodness?
Introduction. Before we consider evidences of God's goodness, let us establish the Biblical fact of his goodness. As the Lord proclaimed to Moses: “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth," (Ex. 34:6). As Paul relates to the Romans, "Behold therefore the goodness...of God..." (Rom. 11:22). Now, let's notice some expressions of his goodness.
God has given man a beautiful creation. Although now marred by sin, God's creation was "very good" (Gen. 1:31). Through it, “... He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” (Act 14:17).
God has given man the Bible. Paul wrote, "all scripture is given by inspiration of God..." (2 Tim. 3:16). The Greek work translated inspiration is theopneustos. The word consists of two parts: theos, meaning God; and pneo, meaning to breathe. Hence, scripture is God given, literally, God breathed. The scriptures are "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." When correctly used, they result in the "man of God being perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Bible constitutes the Christian's belief or creed. (Jude 3). Since "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" per Psa 119:105, faithful Christians can not only be pleasing to God, but better family members, spouses, neighbors, and citizens while avoiding many of the sinful pitfalls people fall prey to.
God has given his own Son. We see God's goodness especially in how he views sinful man. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son..." (John 3:16). John later wrote, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation of our sins" (1 John 4:10). We have access to life in the Son (1 John 5:11).
God had prepared heaven for the faithful. Heaven has been prepared "from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:31-40). Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people (Matt. 25:31-40), a place of indescribable bliss (Rev. 21:22).
Conclusion. Indeed we see God's goodness in many of his gifts and expression to man. Are you appropriating God's goodness via faithful, loving obedience?
God has given man a beautiful creation. Although now marred by sin, God's creation was "very good" (Gen. 1:31). Through it, “... He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” (Act 14:17).
God has given man the Bible. Paul wrote, "all scripture is given by inspiration of God..." (2 Tim. 3:16). The Greek work translated inspiration is theopneustos. The word consists of two parts: theos, meaning God; and pneo, meaning to breathe. Hence, scripture is God given, literally, God breathed. The scriptures are "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." When correctly used, they result in the "man of God being perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Bible constitutes the Christian's belief or creed. (Jude 3). Since "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" per Psa 119:105, faithful Christians can not only be pleasing to God, but better family members, spouses, neighbors, and citizens while avoiding many of the sinful pitfalls people fall prey to.
God has given his own Son. We see God's goodness especially in how he views sinful man. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son..." (John 3:16). John later wrote, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation of our sins" (1 John 4:10). We have access to life in the Son (1 John 5:11).
God had prepared heaven for the faithful. Heaven has been prepared "from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:31-40). Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people (Matt. 25:31-40), a place of indescribable bliss (Rev. 21:22).
Conclusion. Indeed we see God's goodness in many of his gifts and expression to man. Are you appropriating God's goodness via faithful, loving obedience?