Attributes of God – Part 8: God’s Goodness

Attributes of God – Part 8: God’s Goodness

October 13, 2022

od is good, God is great! You must have heard that over a thousand times by now huh? But have you really thought what that means? People are quick to ask this question: “If God is good, why are these things happening to me?” Trust me, once you get to “know God”, not “know about God” you will have good (no pun intended) understanding what God is really like. I have a good one for you today so let’s dig into scripture and learn about the goodness of God.

What Does Goodness Mean?

When we talk about something good, it means something desired or approved. It is a word we often use to describe someones character that is morally righteous or quality of something. When we talk about the goodness of God, it is much more than character or quality; it is God’s design, a gift that comes from God.

How good is God?

God is the very source of everything good. God is good even to those who do not know him, take a look at Jonah’s story (Jonah 1) in the Old Testament. Jonah knew God is gracious, compassionate, and would save the people of Nineveh who were his enemies. The story shows us all these qualities of our loving God who provides, protects and is patient with all of us. We have all sinned but He is still willing to forgive us so we can be reunited with Him in eternity.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow (James 1:17).
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving (1Timothy 4:4).
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11).
For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity (Psalm 84:11).

“No one is good—except God alone (Mark 10:17-18).

Goodness in Christ

The goodness of God is perfectly demonstrated through our Lord Jesus Christ. Listen carefully to the good God did for us:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

God sent His Son, Christ, so we can be saved through Him. Jesus taught us how to be good through his ministry.

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone (Mark 10:17-18).

Most important, Jesus here is telling us the source of goodness. Jesus is turning the focus onto God who is the creator, the designer of everything good. Jesus is God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16) (John 10:30), so ultimately this was God speaking.

Moreover, the goodness of God is shown through Jesus' character. Jesus was compassionate, loving, caring - all good. We strive to be good by living like Christ who is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).

Key Takeaways:

Understand, Overstand and Innerstand

So now we know Almighty God is inherently good, the source of anything and everything good (James 1:17). God’s goodness is shown by his love, mercy, compassion and provision. We can have the gift of goodness through the Holy Spirit, watch this: