The concept of the universal goodness of God is a foundational theme throughout the Scriptures, affirming that God's benevolence extends to all of creation. This attribute of God is not limited to a select group but is evident in His dealings with all humanity and the entirety of the created order.

Scriptural Affirmations of Universal Goodness

1. Creation and Sustenance: The goodness of God is first revealed in the act of creation. Genesis 1 repeatedly affirms the goodness of God's creation, culminating in the declaration that everything He made was "very good" (Genesis 1:31). This goodness is not only in the initial act of creation but continues as God sustains the universe. Psalm 145:9 states, "The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made."

2. Providence and Care: God's universal goodness is further demonstrated in His providential care for all creatures. In Matthew 5:45, Jesus teaches that God "causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." This impartial provision underscores the universal scope of God's goodness.

3. Common Grace: The doctrine of common grace highlights God's goodness to all people, regardless of their spiritual state. Acts 14:17 declares, "Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness." This grace is evident in the blessings of life, health, and the natural world.

4. Salvation Offered to All: The universal offer of salvation is a profound expression of God's goodness. John 3:16 proclaims, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This offer is extended to all, demonstrating God's desire for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

5. Justice and Mercy: God's goodness is also seen in His justice and mercy. Psalm 33:5 affirms, "The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His loving devotion." His justice ensures that evil will not prevail, while His mercy offers forgiveness and restoration to all who seek Him.

6. Eternal Kingdom: The promise of God's eternal kingdom is a testament to His goodness. Revelation 21:4 describes a future where "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This vision of a renewed creation reflects God's ultimate good purposes for humanity.

Implications of Universal Goodness

The universal goodness of God calls for a response of gratitude and worship from all creation. It challenges believers to reflect God's goodness in their own lives, extending love and kindness to others. Moreover, it provides assurance that God's purposes are ultimately for the good of all, even when circumstances may seem contrary. The recognition of God's universal goodness invites all to trust in His character and to seek His will, knowing that He is good and His love endures forever (Psalm 100:5).Psalm 145:9
The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 5:45
That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Natural Evil, or Suffering, and Especially the Suffering of ...
... from the kingdom of heaven, because our Saviour had declared that a ... is easy to see,
that the atheistical argument against the goodness of God is unanswerable ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter ii natural evil or.htm

First Epistle of St John, Ch. Ii. Part of the 1St and 2D Verses.
... a Temper must this proceed from; to make use of the Goodness of God ... World that He
sent his only begotten Son; and this Son of God hath declared his Love in ...
/.../sermon xii first epistle of.htm

God Willing that all Men Should be Saved.
... Was man grateful, divine goodness would lead him to repentance; but under the ... God
is holy ... is opposition to his nature, forbidden by his law, and declared to be ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xvii god willing that.htm

"And Truly Our Fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son,"
... It was both the great wisdom and infinite goodness of God ... For God sent His Son, his
own Son, to take away the ... And this is the thing that is declared unto us by ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vi and truly our.htm

The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. ...
... 2 Kings 20:11); by these miracles God declared that the sun ... that by this view the
singular goodness of God ... so grossly who attribute government to God, but still ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 the world created.htm

How God Overthrew the Nation of the Sodomites, Out of his Wrath ...
... they concealed themselves no longer, but declared that they ... that had learned to imitate
the goodness of Abraham ... 4. But God was much displeased at their impudent ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how god overthrew.htm

Jesus Born the Son of God.
... itself, which demanded a universal fellowship of love, declared by that ... though
everywhere also some germ of goodness and truth ... in Him as the Son of God with the ...
/.../schleiermacher/selected sermons of schleiermacher/xvi jesus born the son.htm

The Knowledge of God Conspicuous in the Creation, and Continual ...
... 2. This declared by the first class of works"viz. ... his works, and so refresh ourselves
with his goodness. ... not only to be stimulated to worship God, but also ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the knowledge of.htm

John Smith, Platonist --"An Interpreter of the Spirit"
... This disciple, who declared that whatever "heavenly life" there was ... Meekness,
Self-denial, Universal Love of God and all true Goodness, without Partiality ...
/.../chapter xvi john smith platonistan.htm

The Scheme of Necessity Makes God the Author of Sin.
... "They say it is nowhere declared in express ... occasion, is one of the most remarkable
exhibitions of confidence in the wisdom and goodness of God, which the ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter ii the scheme of.htm

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