1. The Bible says that He is. Psalm 107:1 says, "Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!" And there are MANY other verses that say He is good. But why believe the Bible.
The Bible is God's holy, true, and reliable word. It can be trusted. Not only is it historically and scientifically proven to be true; not only was it written by 40 + authors, over 1500 years, composed of 66 different books, in 3 different languages, and yet it fits together perfectly; but, it itself tells us that it is true and reliable. 1 Timothy 3:16 tells us that all scripture is God-breathed and gives us teaching, reproof, and correction. Proverbs 30:5 tells us that all of God's words prove to be true. And Psalm 119:160 tells us that God's words are truth. So, if we can trust that the Bible is God's true word, we can trust what it says. Therefore, we should look to the Bible to see what it says about God's goodness.
Psalm 25:8 "Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way to go."
Psalm 73:1 "Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart."
Psalm 84:11-12 "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly."
John 10:14 "I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."
Also throughout the Bible we see God's goodness demonstrated in His love, mercy, provision, and faithfulness.
Are you wondering what the definition of good is? I'm sure different people have slightly different opinions over the definition of good. So what is the true definition? Well, God is the Creator and Definer of good. When He created this world He made it good. (See Genesis 1-2) But because of the fall (see Genesis 3) the world is no longer perfect. But, God is still good. He could've abandoned us after we sinned. But He didn't. God, the Creator and Definer of good, was good, is good, and will always be good.
2. He sent Jesus
Another reason I know that God is good is because He sent Jesus. Romans 8:32 says, "He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?" God has given us the best gift He could ever give: eternal life. He has given us grace and mercy, salvation, hope, and forgiveness. We don't deserve it, yet because of His love, He freely gives. This is the greatest gift we could ever receive. God is truly good. We can be assured of that because He sacrificed His own Son to save unworthy sinners like us! The opposite of good is bad or wicked. How could someone who is wicked sacrifice His own Son to save undeserving, corrupt sinners? He wouldn't! We know God is good because He "did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all!"
3. Creation
Creation proclaims the goodness of God! Look around you. The sun, moon, stars, trees, grass, flowers, birds, animals, rivers, and lakes all show the creativity, handiwork, faithfulness, provision and goodness of God. He could have made the world miserable for us because of our sins. But He made it beautiful, spectacular, and complex. He provides us with rain, oxygen, food, and more through His glorious creation.
4. He is faithful in our lives
We see God's goodness at work in our lives. Because He is good He has chosen to save His people. And He doesn't leave us to ourselves. The Holy Spirit comes and lives in His chosen people, in those who are true followers of Christ. He sanctifies, strengthens, grows, teaches, guides, and convicts us! He didn't have to change and renew us. But He did! His work in our lives, miracles, growth, guidance, etc., are proof that He is good.
So then . . .
Why would a good God allow suffering?
We have established that God is good. So, why then, would He allow all the pain and suffering in this world. Wouldn't a good God make everything right again? Well, I have good news! He will make everything new and right again one day! And for those who believe in and follow Him, we will spend eternity with Him, glorifying and praising Him! There will be no more corruption, sin, pain, death, separation, fear, trials, anxiety, persecution, or weakness. But why does God wait? Why is there suffering now? Can't He just fix everything right now? Well, it is actually because God is good that He waits. He is waiting, giving all people a chance to turn to Him and be saved. He is patient and longsuffering. 2 Peter 3:9 says it best, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." God is waiting patiently for Christs return, not because He is slow, not because He is not sovereign, and not because He is unable to keep His promise, but because He is loving and wanting all to reach repentance. So that is why God patiently waits to fulfill His promise. But why is there all this brokenness in the world to begin with? It is because of sin. When sin entered the world, so did death, pain, and sorrow. God created this world to be perfect, but when Adam and Eve sinned against God and disobeyed, the world became no longer perfect. But praise God! He has made a way to save us from our sins in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Why do bad things happen to good people?
A lot of people ask this question. A lot of bad things happen in the world. I think everybody knows that. But are there really any good people? Everyone likes to think they are a good person, or at least they try to be. But the truth is, no one is good except God! (Lk 18:19, Rom 3:10, 23) So the question actually should be reversed! Why do good things happen to bad people? We are all sinners. We all fall short of what God has called us to be: good, holy, set apart, and perfect. This is serious. We cannot enter heaven without being perfect. And yet, Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice to free us from our sins and eternal punishment. All we must do is trust in Him and repent.
Why? Why would He give this good gift to those who are undeserving? We deserve the suffering in this world because of our sins. And we certainly don't deserve mercy and grace. Yet God gives them to us. So the question isn't why do bad things happen to good people, but why do good things happen to bad people? And the answer is: God is good! He doesn't choose to save us because we are good, but because He is good!
"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us." ~ C.S. Lewis
So I have a challenge for you.
Choose to see God's goodness all around you. Don't ignore it. We often have no problem noticing the bad in our lives, big or small. We notice when we are sick, having a bad day, feeling sad or discouraged, or when those around us are struggling. But how often do we really notice and take time to thank God when we are healthy, provided for, or joyful.
So look around you. See the goodness of God. (In His word, in Christ and the gospel, in creation, and in your life.) And thank Him for being good to us even though we are not good. And then strive to reflect the goodness of God through the way you live!
Nahum 1:7 - The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.
God is Good! Always has been - Always will be! We serve an awesome, almighty Creator!
ReplyDeleteAmen!!
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