“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love” (2 Peter 1:3-7).

We started this series on Godliness two weeks ago. Last week we discussed the topic of faith as the foundation of our ongoing sanctification. We discussed believing, and how faith is putting our beliefs into action. In the passage above, we are told to “make every effort to add to our faith goodness.”

What is goodness? What is the standard of good? Jesus gives us a clue in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, all of which speak of the same conversation with a man. Here is the passage from Mark: “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Matthew reports that the man asked the Teacher, “what good thing must I do…”). In each account, Jesus answers: “Why do you call me good (why do you ask me about what is good? No one is good—except God alone.“ (Mark 10:17-22).

God is the standard for good. It does not matter how you were raised—religion, culture, education level, financial status. Good is not relative. Good is absolutely what God is; it is an attribute of God. “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble” (Nahum 1:7).

“Moses said, ‘Please show me your glory.’ And the Lord said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you’ (Exodus 33:18-9). As Candice Lucey wrote for Christianity Today, “Moses asks for glory. God promises goodness. The two cannot be separated. If glory is the weight and worth of God, then goodness is the blessing and bounty of God. What Moses ‘sees’ is actually a declaration of God’s name and his character.” 

In David’s beloved Psalm 23, verse six tells us that “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life….”  Mercy and goodness are connected.

“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). God’s goodness leads to taking action, to changing our minds and our direction, turning back to Him.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Goodness has the power to overcome evil.

Now that we have defined “goodness,” what should we do to demonstrate it? Here’s a passage from Got Questions, which gives us guidance:

In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists the “fruit of the Spirit“. “Fruit,” here, means “beneficial results,” the good things that come from the Spirit’s indwelling. As the Holy Spirit works in our lives, our character changes. Where we had harbored selfishness, cruelty, rebelliousness, and spite, we now possess love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Everything in the list reflects the character of God, and goodness is one that relates directly to morality.

Goodness is virtue and holiness in action. It results in a life characterized by deeds motivated by righteousness and a desire to be a blessing. It’s a moral characteristic of a Spirit-filled person. The Greek word translated “goodness,” agathosune, is defined as “uprightness of heart and life.” Agathosune is goodness for the benefit of others, not goodness simply for the sake of being virtuous.

Someone with agathosune will selflessly act on behalf of others. Confronting someone about a sin demonstrates goodness. So do giving to the poor, providing for one’s children, visiting the sick, volunteering to clean up after a storm, and praying for an enemy. Expressions of goodness are as varied as the Spirit is creative.

Goodness is not a quality we can manufacture on our own. James 1:17 says, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” This certainly includes a life characterized by goodness. In letting the Holy Spirit control us, we are blessed with the fruit of goodness. As others see our good works, they will praise our Father in heaven.

Just as faith is belief in action, goodness is virtue and holiness in action. Following through; putting our money where our mouth is. God, help us to add goodness to our faith, as we pursue godliness in our ongoing growth in sanctification.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

In Christ,

Judy