“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23.
“True goodness is accounted of Heaven as true greatness. The condition of the moral affections determines the worth of the man. A person may have property and intellect, and yet be valueless, because the glowing fire of goodness has never burned upon the altar of his heart.” Testimonies, Vol. 2, pg. 305
What is goodness? Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines it as “the moral qualities which constitute Christian excellence; moral virtue; religion.” Then Gal. 5:22 is quoted. The dictionary’s second and third definitions of goodness also define Jesus, “Kindness; benevolence; benignity of heart; but more generally, acts of kindness; charity; humanity exercised. Kindness; benevolence of nature; mercy.” Then Exod. 34:6 is quoted: “And the Lord passed by before him (Moses), and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.”
The Psalmist recognized the goodness of God: “Oh, that men would give thank to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:8
Paul exhorts about the necessity of the goodness of God: “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Rom 2:4
“Goodness is the result of divine power transforming human nature. By believing in Christ, the fallen race he has redeemed may obtain that faith which works by love and purifies the soul from all defilement. Then Christlike attributes appear: for by beholding Christ men become changed into the same image from glory to glory, from character to character. Good fruit is produced. The character is fashioned after the divine similitude, and integrity, uprightness, and true benevolence are manifested toward the sinful race.” My Life Today, pg. 54
Jesus taught about goodness in the Sermon on the Mount: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Matt. 5:44 Goodness is expressed in other forms also throughout the three chapters in Matthew (5-7) that records the “Sermon on the Mount” and we’ll look at just a small sample of them.
- Salt is good for seasoning and we are to be salt (Matt. 5:13)
- We are to the light of the world and to let our light shine (Matt. 5:14-16)
- Turn the other cheek rather than smiting back (Matt. 5:38, 39)
- Forgiveness (Matt. 6:14, 15)
Let us look again at the statement we read above from My Life Today: “Goodness is the result of divine power transforming human nature.” Go back and reread the entire paragraph. That is what the entire sermon of Jesus is portraying.
My Life Today goes on to say: “There is no limit to the good you may do. If you make the Word of God the rule of your life, and govern your actions by its precepts, making all your purposes and exertions in the fulfilling of your duty a blessing and not a curse to others, success will crown your efforts. You have placed yourself in connection with God; you have become a channel of light to others. You are honored by becoming co-laborers with Jesus; and no higher honor can you receive than the blessed benediction from the lips of the Saviour: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’” Ibid.
I found several statements in the Spirit of Prophecy that talk about living and talking the goodness of God. Let’s look at a few of them:
“The Christian is to publish the good news of salvation, and he is never to weary of the recital of God’s goodness.” {RH, February 12, 1895 par. 8}
“Suppose we give to the world a living example of the beauty there is in religion and Jesus Christ by the offerings we present to God, talking of His goodness, and telling of His power.” {RC 285.2}
“Talk faith, pure, sacred, holy faith. Bear no discouraging testimony, for this pleases the enemy. Talk of the goodness of God. Have we not enough at every step to praise him for?” {UL 329.4}
”Keep your eyes fixed on Christ. Study His life—a life filled with goodness, grace, and truth. Follow His example. Ask yourself, Am I, in purpose and character, like Christ. The contemplation of the Saviour will attract you more and more strongly to Him. It is the beholding of the love of Jesus that gives light and life to the soul. Study the excellence of the character of Christ. Remember that to Him has been given all power. This power is for you, if you will have it. As you become a humble, faithful witness for Christ, you will be able to say, ‘Thy gentleness hath made me great.’—Letter 257, 1903, pp. 8, 9. (To J. H. Kellogg, November 26, 1903.)” {7MR 151.5}
Dear Lord, Help me to practice the goodness of Jesus today, that I may reflect His character and be like Him. In His holy name I pray, Amen.
