The Goodness of God is not only shortchanged by the legalist life – it is at best neutered and at times downright ghoulish in the misrepresentation that is presented. This short devotional is part 1 of a series in which I hope to examine the “Goodness of God” in the light of His Amazing Grace in your life, Here and Now – join me over the next few days for this journey into His Goodness!
“Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.” – Psalm 86:17
In the Old Testament times prior to the arrival of The Promise, Jesus, many people would question and doubt the Goodness of God, especially in difficult times. They would point toward sin that the people have committed as Gods “payback to the people” – in essence this made God out to be a mobster in the sky to many.
Here is the challenge for many Christians today, they don’t get that His Goodness now lives inside them! Instead of resting in His Goodness that Is inside them and Never leaves them, instead of Thanking Him for this Goodness, this sign of God’s eternal Goodness and Love, they point to the sin they have committed and prepare for the lightning bolts.
Enter Jesus and:
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18
When Christ came into me – I was made perfect! While I am on this planet, walking in this decaying body, I am becoming more perfect with regard to my love for others, yes that is true, But He in His Goodness perfected me the very nanosecond I “believed in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!” While most Christians say they believe this there actions toward the law, themselves and others say different!
How? I know divorced people who carry around shame for years and some for their entire life – just the way satan wants them to stay because by doing that those who desperately need Jesus and His Total Forgiveness think, “oh man Jesus doesn’t forgive completely!” I know people who have been wronged who will not trust again, love again or live again because they have the shell of pain on them – to this I say, “Be Perfected by letting go and Loving” – this is the lesson of His goodness!
For the legalist Christian the Love of God is a “command” that they grit their teeth and try to obey in human power and when they fail it’s another reason for those lightning bolts! For the Grace-Full Christian who has realized they are Perfectly imperfect – Love is a growing characteristic in them but also the reason why they will not fear Ever Again. Fear of God under law, judgment and eternal damnation – ended on the cross, when I believed in Him, with Christ as He Is the end of the law for ALL who believe!
Now Grow in Love!
