For Goodness Sake

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through the 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 perseverence, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:2-8

goodness — the state of being good-- pure, moral, conscientious, meritorious, worthy, exemplary, upright, beneficial, having admirable, pleasing qualities

 

For Goodness Sake.

Danny, the Build Director, teared up as he stood watching his team congratulating the little family on their new home. Handshakes, hugs and comments on the success of the day passed throughout the group and although dinner was waiting back at the ranch, no one wanted to break the moment. It had been a good day.

I am so glad I was there to witness this life changing event for a young mother and her children. But their's were not the only lives that were altered. A team of twenty individuals had answered the call to do something good and this would have a lasting effect on them as well. That is the way of things when you put your faith into action by practicing what is good.

The word goodness in the focus verse in 2 Peter is the Greek word areta and means moral excellence; a virtuous course of thought, feeling or action. This step of  adding goodness to our faith is a strategic one . Now that we have put our faith in God, aligning ourselves with him, Peter says, “Add goodness.” It makes sense that we would follow God in his ways by choosing to act as he does by doing good. It was his own goodness, after all, he has called us out of a life of “corruption...caused by evil desires” and “has given us everything we need for a godly life.”

Romans 12 gives a Goodness Plan for our lives calling us to become “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God...” by being “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” It gives us a way of seeing things differently by thinking and acting in a way that is good. And in this way, we are “not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” That, my friends, points to a major reason to add goodness to our faith-- It overcomes evil. That is something definitely needed when it comes to living a godly life. It also allows us to participate in the divine nature which gives us a deeper knowledge of who God is.

The challenge set before us is to continually choose good in everything we do. We not only will be changed by doing good but it also has a way of affecting others in the most positive way while bringing attention and glory to the Father. So, for His sake choose goodness.

God's definition of doing good--

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me--put into practice. And the peace of God will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

”You are the light of the world...let your light shine among others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify the Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

Hands of Mercy, Ensenada April 2013