Goodness…what does that mean anyway. Growing up, our parents and teachers all told us to “be good’. I always believed that people were inherently good, but now I realize the only way we are truly good is by the power of Jesus Christ in us.
Easton’s Bible Dictionary says, “Goodness in man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good.”
Without Christ, we are not naturally inclined to be good in our thoughts, words, and actions. Time and time again, I have been hurt and disappointed by people and simply cannot fathom how they can be so cruel. I am beginning to realize that without Christ, goodness does not naturally flow from most people. Although it still hurts, I find it easier to forgive when I know that without Christ, goodness does not flow naturally from human beings. We are selfish and prideful. Being “good” requires putting others first and laying down our pride to act good, even when others don’t deserve it.
In Matthew 15:19, Jesus tells us that it is what is in our hearts that determines our actions. Jesus said, “ For out of the heart come evil thoughts and plans, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slanders (verbal abuse, irreverent speech, blaspheming)” (AMP). What we fill our hearts with determines what we do. You know the old adage, “garbage in, garbage out.” As Christians, we must deliberately fill our hearts and minds with God’s Word. Psalm 19:7-10 tells us that the Word of God is a good treasure. If we fill ourselves with God's goodness, the natural result is that goodness flows from us.
““The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not],
Must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit).
“He must turn away from wickedness and do what is right.
He must search for peace [with God, with self, with others] and pursue it eagerly [actively—not merely desiring it].
~ 1 Peter 3:10-11 (AMP)
Luke 6:27-28 tells us, “But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you, bless and show kindness to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (AMP). That is not what my flesh calls for. When I am hurt and feel I have been wronged, my flesh calls for vengeance. It calls for an eye for an eye. It yearns for me to make them feel the pain they made me feel.
But here’s the thing… I am called to do better. 3 John 1:11 tells us to “not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage, and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all]” (AMP).
Goodness calls us to surrender our pain and pride and love others as Christ loves them. It calls us to surrender our right to vengeance and “take the high road.” It calls for us to hold ourselves to a standard of goodness, morality, and integrity. Not only when it’s easy to be good but also (and most importantly) when our flesh wants anything but to act with goodness.
Goodness is a tall order, my friends. It’s easy to be good to those who are “good” to us. But it takes Christ in us to show goodness to everyone, even those who hurt you deeply.
I pray that you will allow God to grow goodness within you. You would pray for His holy restraint and self-control to let your flesh win. I pray that you would hold healthy boundaries around yourself but that within that, you remain in the goodness of God.
