The Goodness of God
by Lani W. Finley

If we are to begin to comprehend the depths and splendor of God's grace, then we must first believe in the absolute goodness of God. It is the only basis upon which we can start to accept the truth about God's gift of salvation. It is only when we come to believe that God has our best interest at heart that we will begin to trust in His love, forgiveness and promises. Our Heavenly Father has never asked anyone to give up anything that would not ultimately destroy him or her. He only wants to give us good things that will ultimately bring us life, health and happiness.

Man's transgressions had separated him from God and closed the door to eternal life. However, God's goodness prevailed. He never stopped loving man, even though man was living a life of sin and rebellion. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8). The most costly thing God ever did, was to love mankind. It cost Him the life of His precious Son, Jesus Christ. God ordained Jesus to suffer a painful death, in order to save us from eternal judgement. Therefore, Jesus Christ can be considered as the personification and proof of God's Goodness.

The gospel of grace is about God's desire for a relationship with man. It is God who has reached out to His creation, through Jesus Christ.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18-19).