For Goodness Sake

Goodness. Mirriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines goodness as, “the quality or state of being good”, and that it is also used in phrases to express mild surprise or shock. “Would you stop picking your nose at the table for goodness sake.”, “Oh my goodness, the Raiders scored a touchdown!”, “Goodness gracious, great balls of fire, that’s one giant pumpkin you have there cuz.” The words goodness and good are so common and used in so many ways that we loose distinction and power in its expression and definition.

However, both words are very powerful and descriptive in the Word of God. In the KJV, goodness is used 51 times, and good 725 times. In most cases it is God himself declaring what is good. The first example is God’s creation found in Genesis 1 and after each day, God declares it “good”. From there on we know God makes a distinction between what is good, pleasing and acceptable to Him, and what is not good, not pleasing and not acceptable to Him. Many Biblical characters learned this distinction the hard way: Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Moses, Pharaoh, Sampson, King Saul, and generations of Israelites.

The Goodness of God is the perfection of His divine nature. Perfect love expressed in His character toward us, his creation. God’s goodness is merciful, longsuffering, compassionate, patient and full of empathy and grace.

In our journey in Christ do we seek a path of goodness? Galatians 5 states it as one of the Fruits of the Spirit, and if we abide in Christ’s love we will bear the fruit of goodness. Goodness is the quality of being good, and if there is any “good” found in us, it is through the goodness of God working within us through the Holy Spirit. Each step we take on the path of goodness is a maturing process of trust, obedience, and faith…so be good for goodness sake.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
- Colossians 1:10