The Goodness of God

God is good.

This is one of the most beloved and preached themes in the church right now. We hear alot about it. But really, what is our definition of good?
We usually use it like "That was a good meal", or "you're a good girl/boy", or "that's a good song".

Meaning that it's pleasant, we like it, it makes us feel nice feelings.
One of the dictionary definitions is "to be desired or approved of"

But the definition of "Good" is actually far more lofty than this: "that which is morally good or righteous"

(Look through your concordance. The Bible uses the word righteous to describe God more than any other word, including Love)

God is good. This is never a question. However, the connotation can be a little confusing. When we present an idea that God is good what we usually mean is "I like what God does for me or how He makes me feel". But really, what we should be saying is "God is righteous".

He is good. He is thoroughly good and righteous in all He does. He has to be good or He can't be God. All His ways are good, perfect, pure, Holy.

I have been pondering this height of God for the past week or so. He is so far above us. The four living creatures in Revelation 4 have been peering into the depths of God for thousands of years and the only word that they can find to convey how they see Him is "Holy, Holy, Holy..." They are speaking it even now. Holy. Wholly Other. He is perfect.

We somehow think in our hearts that He is really just kind of like us. After all, we are made in His likeness. But really, He is far far far far far far above us. His intentions are perfect. His ways are thoroughly just and PURE. There is no shadow in Him. He is pure light. There is no darkness in Him. We really can't begin to comprehend this. It will continue to astound us moment by moment for eternity.

In light of this we must begin to think of Him as He is: righteous, good, true.

This means that God cannot abide with anything that is not good. A good God must punish unrighteousness. He must be a just Judge. He must be perfect in His ways and He must hold all things to this absolute standard.

This makes salvation look like a whole different ball game. The idea (that we'd never speak, but secretly think in our hearts) that Jesus came to make us better (thus implying that we are basically good and really almost like Him) is shattered by the reality of His goodness. His perfection.

We need salvation because without it there is absolutely no hope for us to begin to attain to this righteous standard.

In His goodness, God could send me, without even a chance for repentance, to an eternal Hell. And I would deserve it.

So then, Jesus is not just a great example for us to follow of what the life of a believer can be. He is our only Hope. He had to become a man because man could not attain to God's standard. Ever. Period.

He is good and, praise be to God, He is merciful.

We work out our salvation with fear and trembling knowing that His ways are so so far above ours. We must lay hold of grace, through faith to continue in repentance and obedience so that on the Day of the Lord, we will be saved (that's right, we're not saved yet).

God is good.

Only in light of these facts, these truths can we truly come to understand that it is kindness that leads us to repentance.

A Holy God has no need to have us with Him. He has no need to give us breath in our lungs each day. Think of it! His kindness is so great toward us. He is so long-suffering. He restrains Himself for the sake of His Son having a Bride. He desires us.

Humanity at large spends it's days and breaths blaspheming and walking in disobedience toward this most perfect and Holy God. The very fact that I wake up each day with breath in my lungs is His kindness and His mercy toward me. It speaks vastly of His desire for me. (let alone the way He cares for my needs! what an amazing thing!! He is SO kind! So for us!)

Only in light of His goodness can I come to this place where I give all to Him. Where I begin to find some glimmer of the fear of the Lord in my heart. Where I am saved.

Let's ask for a spirit of revelation about this Good God we serve. And let it change the way we live our lives. That we might be saved.

I don't want to presume upon my own understanding. I want a true revelation of His goodness. To pray with Jesus, "Righteous Father..."