God is good

The Bible constantly describes God as someone good. But some people say that He is not good or that some of the things that He does are not. Are there different definitions for good? 

When God appeared to Moses and the nation of Israel, it was in these terms: “And Jehovah passing before him, proclaimed: Eternal! Eternal! strong, merciful and pious; slow to anger, and great in mercy and truth ”(Exodus 34: 6).

The Bible tells us this about the Eternal, creator God: "Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of lights, in whom there is no change, nor shadow of variation" (James 1:17). If a gift is "good," it definitely comes from God — the God who never changes.  

"Good are you, and a benefactor," (Psalms 119: 68).

"Good" is the constant description of the scriptures for the nature and actions of God. In the first revelation in the Bible about God and his creation, the word "good" is used repeatedly. God describes as "good" the things that He did during the days of creation, and the work of complete creation was summarized as "very good" (Genesis 1: 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25).    

According to the Bible, God is good.  

What is the definition and standard of "good"?

But what exactly does this mean? In a world of evil, pain and suffering, the question may arise whether God is truly totally good.

Who defines "good"? Not everyone agrees.

In fact, some claim that the God described in the Bible is cruel and definitely not good. One writer, Christopher Hitchens , has gone so far that he wrote a book titled God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons everything .   

According to Christopher Hitchens , God is neither great nor good.

Why do people differ in defining "good"? It may be a matter of perception. If being is perspective, then a person can define something as "good" in terms of how someone or something affects being. You are "good" depending on how happy and joyful you make me feel. The "I" becomes the point of reference to define "goodness". The happiness or joy of others is not important.    

The definition of "good" for people may also depend on time. Some people tend to evaluate life only in the short term. If you already please me — today, then you are “good”.

This, of course, leaves tomorrow and next year out of the picture entirely. Ignore the possibility that something that brings pleasure in the short term, may cause pain, suffering or loss in the long term. He also fails to see how good the long-term result of short-term struggles and suffering can be.

Others associate "kindness" with "kindness" or good manners — never hurting other people's feelings — always saying positive things and being polite to others. In modern times, the term "politically correct" has been used institutionally to describe "friendliness" - often to the detriment of truthfulness or constructive criticism. In its advanced form it can result in moral “tolerance” of behavior, even behavior that hurts and damages other people.

The list could go on. Other opinions, such as that of the essence of "goodness" focus on qualities such as generosity, humility, loyalty and "spirituality". There is considerable variation in how people view the concept of "good."

But how does the Bible define "goodness"? In what sense of the word "good" is God "good" —according to the testimony of the Bible?

If we want to understand God and his goodness, it is very important that we study what the Bible teaches us about this question. When we do, we realize that the different human views and perspectives on "goodness" mentioned above lack a complete understanding.

God's goodness in developing his plan of salvation

According to the scriptures, we can understand the "goodness" of God in the elaboration of his great plan of salvation. God has a wonderful plan for the human being He created — a formidable plan! According to God's purpose, that plan takes time, patience, and endurance. For that wonderful plan to be carried out, trials come along the way for us human beings (Matthew 7: 13-14). 

It is not easy, but it is good — totally good. God is good, and that goodness is seen as He fulfills his purpose to increase his family. Let's understand. God the Father and Jesus Christ are committed to "bringing many children to glory" (Hebrews 2:10). They are increasing the family of God. Its purpose is to bring human beings to eternal life in the midst of a loving family relationship with them — to do many more in their “image and likeness” (Genesis 1:26; 1 Corinthians 15:49; Colossians 3:10). . 

Carrying out that purpose, God reveals his character and nature to humanity. He shows us that we will be like Him. His character is pure, holy, and loving. In this revelation of his holy nature to his human creation, God is good. "Good and upright is the Eternal; Therefore, he will teach sinners the way ”(Psalms 25: 8).  

God reveals his just law to humanity. His law serves as a guide to living in a way that pleases God, and leads us to the fulfillment of his plan. By making that guide and that spiritual "light" available to man, God is good. “Good are you, and benefactor; Teach me your statutes ”(Psalms 119: 68).  

By carrying out his glorious purpose, God has first made humanity mortal and given it physical life. In that life, all men and women have sinned — violating the righteous laws of God, and lacking in God's spiritual holiness and purity. (Romans 3:23, 6:23).

God's goodness leads man to repentance

When God works directly in the life of a sinful human being, he condemns him for his sins and grants him the gift of repentance — a will and commitment to change, to be like God and seek his forgiveness. In doing this, God is good: "Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, patience, and long-suffering, ignoring that his kindness guides you to repentance?" (Romans 2: 4).  

When the desire of the people is to be in conformity with the ways of God and to live according to his just laws and to move away from the path of sin, God is kind, merciful and wants to forgive their sins. In this merciful response to repentance, God is good. "For you, Lord, are good and forgiving, And great in mercy towards all who call upon you" (Psalm 86: 5).

Christ's sacrifice shows the goodness of God

When God calls and chooses a person to meet him and brings him to repentance and forgiveness, that forgiveness comes through faith in the death — the sacrifice — of Jesus Christ. Christ, the son of God, died for sinners, so that we could live. As God the Father mercifully accepts the death of Christ, rather than eternal death for a repentant sinner, God is good. 

When a person has repented of sin and has asked for God's mercy and the gift of the Holy Ghost, God lives and works within that person, through the power of that spirit. If the person then uses that God-given spiritual power to change him, that person can be transformed within him. In doing this, God is good: "because God is the one who produces in you the willing as well as the doing, by his good will" (Philippians 2:13).  

In every aspect related to carrying out his plan of salvation, through Jesus Christ, in the lives of human beings, God is good. 

Finally everyone will understand the goodness of God and his plan!

As we saw earlier, not all people understand "good" in the same way. Many do not understand it in light of the Bible or with the nature and works of God. Most do not know or know the incredible "goodness" of God. But even considering this, there is good news!

The good news is that this is going to change! The Bible reveals that the time is coming when the knowledge of God - of how He is and how He acts, of the "goodness" of God - will extend much more than it currently does. "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Eternal, as the waters cover the sea" (Habakkuk 2:14).

In that wonderful moment, when the Kingdom of God rules on earth, the goodness of God will be known, understood and praised throughout the world!  

“Men will speak of the power of your wonderful deeds, And I will publish your greatness. They will proclaim the memory of your immense goodness, And they will sing your justice. Merciful and merciful is the Eternal, Slow to anger, and great in mercy. The Eternal is good to all, and his mercies to all his works ”(Psalms 145: 6-9).

What should you do

Knowing God is the most important and meaningful relationship you can have. Knowing his goodness is inspiring - it fills us with hope and motivates us to live life with meaning, trust and purpose. You can know God better. Read and study the material on this site to learn more about God, His plan for humanity, and His purpose for your life .