Since each of us may have different images or expectations around this question, we must first define the terms. According to dictionary.com, “good” means morally excellent, virtuous, righteous, pious; “Christian” is a person who believes in Jesus Christ with a life exemplified by His teachings. Thankfully, I can attest to my belief in Jesus Christ as Savior, but I’m unsure as to whether my daily life matches the four adjectives in that definition. Would regular Bible reading, tithing, praying, sharing the Gospel, visiting the ill, or supporting missionaries meet the requirements of being good? Read what God tells us.

God’s Character

From a biblical perspective, the term goodness is the sixth characteristic listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV). The Greek derivative, agathosume, means uprightness of heart and life. Another aspect of agathosume describes selfless actions done to benefit and bless others. This describes God’s character; it is who He is as well as what He does. Psalm 100:5 (NIV) tells us “the Lord is good and His love endures forever”. He is the perfect example of goodness and no one is good except God (Mark 10:18, ESV). It is impossible for God to be anything other than good. As the Psalmist writes, “You are good, and what You do is good” (Psalm 119:68a, NIV).

God’s Actions

Out of His character attribute of goodness, God is good to us. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to provide a path back to Him through His death and resurrection (John 3:16, ESV). He blesses us personally and all He does is for our benefit as His children (Romans 8:28-29, TLB). Jesus is God’s goodness in the flesh (Colossians 1:19, NIV) and His love in action.

Our Character

Our character is transformed by the Holy Spirit as we mature spiritually and grow in likeness to God and His goodness. John 15:7-10 (NIV) explains that as we remain in Jesus and in His love, our hearts and lives change. Trying to be a “good Christian” on your own is frustrating and only focused on outward behaviors. Our goal is to have Christ’s character formed in us by the Holy Spirit residing within us.

Our Actions

Our response to the goodness God shows us is to recognize our sin and our need for Him. “[T]he goodness of God leads us to repentance” (Romans 2:4, TLB). We can “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8, ESV). We can’t earn God’s approval; His standard is perfection which no one other than Jesus can attain, or be good on our own efforts. Our goodness can only come from Him as we cannot manufacture it ourselves.

God is the One who is good and He alone can enable us to be a good Christian as we live lives centered on Jesus. It is then that God’s goodness will flow out from our core of our hearts. We will “give thanks to the Lord for He is good” (I Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 107:1, ESV). We can be “full of goodness” (Romans 15:14, ESV) as we reflect God’s nature and character to those around us.

A Good Outcome

Matthew 5:16 (ESV) describes the results for those around us as we allow the Holy Spirit fruit of goodness to develop. When we live a good life, others see it; they are drawn to and praise our heavenly Father. The lifelong process of growing closer to the character of God will be demonstrated by our heart to selflessly do good to others, seek justice, and stand for what is right. 

The Challenge to Trust in God’s Goodness

It is easier to believe God is good when things are going well. But it becomes more challenging to trust that He is good and benefiting us even when:

• Our prayers for prodigals are yet to be answered
• Our health is deteriorating
• Our grandchildren are not being taught about Jesus in their homes
• Our finances are adversely impacted by inflation and world economy 
• Our family is touched by deaths
• Our child or grandchild is born with special needs
• Our church family is experiencing fractures

If Romans 8:28 (ESV) is true, then “all things work together for the good of those who love God.” Since God is good all the time, then anything that draws us closer to Him is good for us. This includes what He allows as well as what He blocks. 

Either here on earth or someday in heaven, we will see the many ways God worked out of His agathosume goodness to bless and benefit us in all the challenges we faced.  Andrew Wilson writes, “You can’t have God without goodness, and you can’t have goodness without God” (DesiringGod.org).

PRAYER

Thank You, Father, that You are always good. I believe You are always at work for my good (benefit) even in the difficult things. I give control of my whole life to you. May Your Holy Spirit fill me with Your “agathosume” and make me a channel of Your goodness to others so that we may praise Your name together. Amen.