But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control. Gal. 5:22-23.
Some sublime
evidences and brilliant reflections of this goodness of God may be seen in the
works of Creation. Charles
Spurgeon.
The photograph in this
post--sunset over Canandaigua Lake in New York--is an example of God’s goodness
to all. Even to those who reject even the notion of God, He gives good things.
Yes, there is great darkness in every corner of the globe, even in this nation
that many proclaim as “God’s country.” But, God is not the author of evil, He
is the creator of good: “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good”
(Genesis 1:31).
But what does it mean
to be good? The dictionary defines goodness as “benevolence.” The philosopher
David Hume described the practice of benevolence thusly: “It is observed that a
person's benevolence brings happiness to society. It is said that he endears
himself more to his parents by this quality than by his relationship. His
children feel that he uses his authority not for his benefit but for theirs.
His friends sense his love for them. From him the hungry receive food, the
naked clothing, the ignorant skill and the slothful industry. He cheers and
sustains like the sun.”*
Just as God gives good
gifts like beautiful sunsets to all, so the believer, through the goodness and power of Jesus, should be imparting acts of kindness, grace and generosity to this hurting world, beginning
with his own family and circle of influence. Our parents should experience our
concern, our children should feel the warmth of our delight, our friends our
affection and generous spirit, the world our energies to reduce suffering in
some way.
How often I fail at
demonstrating this level of goodness, and how often God shores me up with the
tide of His grace. His love propels me to rely on His goodness, and not on any
effort of my own. He alone gives the ability for good, and to do good.
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is
good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil
has not seen God. 3 John 1:11.
*http://www.livingphilosophy.org.uk/philosophy/David_Hume/on_Benevolence.htm
