Goodness of God
When we say this is a good restaurant, this is a good meal, this is good music or this is a good person... What do we actually mean by that? Or how does it affect our lives?
For instance, when we find a good restaurant, there are fundamentally two simple steps we can take. The first one is recognizing the goodness of this restaurant and storing it in our minds as a memory or we can let it infiltrate the rest of our lives, which then affects our future as an action...
For example, we can go to that restaurant more often, or start recommending it to those around us. Indeed, the second way is more consequential since it now influences our preferences. However, by talking about preferences, we are actually admitting that there are other options. What do I mean?
In order to talk about goodness, we need to know what is not good as well. "He is a tall man."
Compared to what?
Compared to other people or the average. We can say that restaurant is good because it is cleaner than others or it makes tastier meals. In short, in order to call a situation good, there must also be differences that we can compare.
So, I think here is a good line to ask this question. What is the goodness of God good in comparison to?
I can write a few alternative answers but maybe you also have your own answers...
Compared to what?
Compared to other people we have relationships with or various philosophies that affect our lives?
While these questions make us think, let's not overlook this situation... Maybe sometimes there is no situation to compare with. Can we say the sunlight is good? Of course, we can, and we don't necessarily have to see it as sunlight is better than darkness.
If a situation can be good on its own, then our second question might lead us to a clearer answer...
And here it is...
What is the impact of God's goodness on your life? Just like when you find a restaurant you really like, you will want to go there more often, what is the impact of God's goodness on your life? How does it influence your choices and what results do you get after these choices...
Like when you find a good coffee, you take time to drink it, and the pleasure you get by saying "ohhh" after drinking is also a result...
So how does the concept of God's goodness affect your daily choices (because if you really noticed this, it should show more than just a passive exposure, an active choice priority) and an equally important question, what are the results of your choices...
In summary, how does the goodness of God affect your daily choices and what changes does these choices create in your life.
Because in the fast flow of life, just like we forget to relate many people we call good, good meals, good values, even traditions that we call good, we may also stop eating the fruits of that goodness of God because we forgot. But we mention it as good when it comes up, but what about in our hearts?
Is HE really good for you?
Beautiful? Worth your desire?
Worth thinking about?
Let's call this a little reminder :)
"Do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" (Rom 2:4)
"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior." (Titus 3:4)
"Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in His kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off." (Rom 11:22)
"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." (1Pe 2:1-3)