WHO GOD IS: THE ALL-BENEVOLENT ONE

“You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes.” (Ps. 119:68)

The Psalmist stated the fact that God is good or benevolent. Indeed, good is who God is (Ps. 25:8). During the creation, God saw that His creation was good (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). After God created man, He saw everything that He made was very good (Gen. 1:31). When Moses wished to see God’s glory, God told him that He would make all His goodness pass before him (Ex. 33:18-19) and He did (Ex. 34:5-8). Every good and perfect gift comes from the All-Benevolent One (Jm. 1:17).

God’s goodness blesses us materially (Mt. 5:45; Acts 14:17). God’s goodness is seen in His good and perfect law which is for our benefit (Rm. 7:12; Jm. 1:25; Dt. 6:24; 1 Jn. 5:3). The gospel is itself good news centered on Christ and His kingdom (Rm. 10:15; 1 Cor. 15:1-8; Acts 8:5, 12). The fact that God gave us His Son is not only a reflection of His love but also His goodness (Jn. 3:13-17). God placed all spiritual blessings in His Son who is good (Eph. 1:3; Mt. 19:16-17).

God’s goodness demands that we be good in a number of ways (Eph. 2:10; Gal. 6:10; Rm. 12:17-21; 3 Jn. 11). God’s goodness also demands that He hates and punishes wickedness (Ex. 34:7). We must also hate evil and love good (Am. 5:15). Do not forget that we are in spiritual warfare against the forces of evil (2 Cor. 10:3-6; Eph. 6:10-18). God is perfect in His goodness and if we listen to and love Him, all things will work together for good ultimately (Rm. 8:28).

Trent Thrasher