Topical Bible: God is Declared to Be: Good

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Topical Encyclopedia

The goodness of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, affirming His benevolent nature and moral perfection. This attribute of God is foundational to understanding His character and His interactions with creation. The declaration of God's goodness is woven throughout Scripture, providing assurance and hope to believers.

Old Testament References

1. Exodus 33:19 · In this passage, God proclaims His goodness to Moses: "I will cause all My goodness to pass before you, and I will proclaim My name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." Here, God's goodness is linked with His mercy and compassion, highlighting His gracious nature.

2. Psalm 34:8 · The psalmist invites believers to experience God's goodness: "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" This verse encourages personal experience and trust in God's goodness, promising blessing to those who seek refuge in Him.

3. Psalm 100:5 · The psalmist declares, "For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations." God's goodness is eternal and is expressed through His enduring love and faithfulness.

4. Nahum 1:7 · The prophet Nahum affirms, "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him." God's goodness is a source of strength and protection for those who rely on Him.

New Testament References

1. Mark 10:18 · Jesus Himself affirms God's goodness: "Why do you call Me good?" Jesus replied. "No one is good except God alone." This statement underscores the unique and absolute goodness of God, setting Him apart from all creation.

2. Romans 2:4 · The Apostle Paul speaks of God's goodness leading to repentance: "Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?" God's goodness is expressed through His patience and kindness, drawing people to repentance and transformation.

3. James 1:17 · James writes, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow." God's goodness is evident in the gifts He bestows, and His unchanging nature assures believers of His consistent benevolence.

Theological Implications

The declaration of God's goodness has profound theological implications. It assures believers of God's trustworthy nature and His desire for their well-being. God's goodness is not merely an abstract quality but is actively demonstrated through His actions and His relationship with humanity. This attribute of God provides a foundation for understanding His other characteristics, such as love, mercy, and justice.

Practical Applications

Believers are called to reflect God's goodness in their own lives. As recipients of His goodness, Christians are encouraged to exhibit kindness, mercy, and love towards others. The recognition of God's goodness should inspire gratitude, worship, and a deeper trust in His providential care.

In summary, the Bible consistently declares God to be good, a truth that offers comfort and guidance to believers throughout their spiritual journey.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 25:8
Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 119:68
You are good, and do good; teach me your statutes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The True Lord and the one God is Declared by the Law, and ...
... the one God is declared by the law, and manifested by Christ His Son in the Gospel;
whom alone we should adore, and from Him we must look for all good things ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxii the true lord and.htm

God's Providence
... had not become sinful, the most glorious attributes of God would never ... of Romans,
where as in other passages, it is declared, that the good which evil may ...
/.../chapter vi gods providence.htm

Some of God's Laws Defended as Good, which the Marcionites ...
... of the law can I defend as good with a ... tedious, and even incredible, to expect from
God that vengeance which was subsequently to be declared by the ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xviii some of gods laws.htm

Of the Practice of Loving Indifference, in Things Belonging to the ...
... The divine good-pleasure is scarcely known otherwise than by events, and ... keep as
close as possible to the will of God which is already declared or signified ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vi of the practice.htm

The Epistle to the Romans. St. Paul Cannot Help Using Phrases ...
... I have called the just God, not the good one. ... that previous one wherein the judgment
is declared to be ... 5800] cannot possibly be ascribed to another god who is ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xiii the epistle to the.htm

It is the Summit of Blasphemy to Say, that God is Freely Good.
... summit of blasphemy to say, that God is freely good. ... or can suspend his acting,"
I declared, "that the ... nature: NECESSARILY, with respect to the decree of God.". ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article xxii ii it is.htm

Of the Loving Condolence by which the Complacency of Love is Still ...
... CHAPTER IV. OF THE LOVING CONDOLENCE BY WHICH THE COMPLACENCY OF LOVE IS STILL BETTER
DECLARED. ... When the good Jacob knew that his son lived,"O God! ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iv of the loving.htm

On the Epistle to the Galatians the Abolition of the Ordinances of ...
... Since, however, [5242] the same God was declared in the gospel ... especially as the
prescription of a new god would have afforded a singularly good and most ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter ii on the epistle to.htm

God's Character Our Resting-Place
... God has declared himself to be gracious ... with all his might, praying all the while
to God to help ... In all unbelief there are these two things, - a good opinion of ...
/.../bonar/gods way of peace/chapter iii gods character our.htm

Jesus is all Good Things; Hence the Gospel is Manifold.
... even one of the Corinthians to whom Paul declared that he knew ... become identified
with the beginning of the good things we ... he would be made a man of God, and by ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/11 jesus is all good.htm