Goodness

July 21,  2018

In a bible dictionary is this definition of goodness :  Praiseworthy character, moral excellence. The bible speaks often of goodness of God. (Exodus 33:19). God's goodness consists of righteousness, holiness, justice, kindness, grace, mercy, and love. Goodness is also a Fruit of the Spirit that should characterize Christian believers (Gal. 5:22). Christians are called to goodness, even as God the Father is perfect and good (Matt. 5:48).  (Nelsons dictionary of the bible p. 438).

As we have said earlier, for every good gift from God ... Satan has a cheap knock off to appeal to the flesh as opposed to the Fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:19 - 21 we can see a list of the "works of the flesh" as provided by Satan. In that list we will see the opposite of goodness. "Selfish ambitions" is the opposite of goodness. In verse 5:22 we see the list of the Fruit of the Spirit. The list ends with this "... And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with it's passions and desires."

In Romans 2:6-10 we see once again where Paul is comparing and contrasting "goodness". He is using the works of the flesh to show the difference. Although scripture teaches that salvation is not based on works, we see here that Paul is teaching that in the works of the righteous is goodness and not selfishness.  "... eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality."  Later in the same paragraph where he then contrasts this with those who do good for evil purposes. " -indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil ..."

Lastly, the first place in the bible where we see "goodness" is in Genesis chapter 1 where God says many times "...and it was good."  When did God's "Good" and "very good" creation become not so good ?  When Satan enters the picture !  So we can easily see that where "goodness is... Satan is not. Therefore, that explains why it is a Fruit of the Spirit and why it is a Key to Biblical Love ! Because where Love is... Satan is not !