Fruit of The Spirit: (7) FAITHFULNESS

FAITHFULNESS is the seventh of the nine parts of the Fruit of The Spirit. In the bible, we can see "faithfulness" is rather similar to "truth", and is related to trust and stewardship. "Faithful" is rather similar to 'true" and also "trustworthy."  "Faithful" is also rather similar to "believe" and "believer." The part of the fruit of  the Spirit, called Faithfulness (in many bible versions including NKJV, RSV, NIV) are called Faith in the KJV.


22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.  (Galatians 5:22-23) (RSV)


Easton's Bible Dictionary.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/eastons-bible-dictionary/faithful.html

Faithful

as a designation of Christians, means full of faith, trustful, and not simply trustworthy ( Acts 10:45 ; 16:1 ;2 co 6:15 ; Colossians 1:2 ; 1 Timothy 4:3 1 Timothy 4:12 ; 5:16 ; 6:2 ; Titus 1:6 ; Ephesians 1:1 ;1 Corinthians 4:17 , etc.).

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 10:45) (KJV)

45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. (Acts 10:45) (NIV)

Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: (Acts 16:1) (KJV)

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothylived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. (Acts 16:1) (NIV)

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (2 Corinthians 6:15) (KJV)

15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[b]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?  (2 Corinthians 6:15) (NIV)

2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:2) (KJV)

2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters[a] in Christ:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father.[b]  (Colossians 1"2) (NIV)

3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:3) (KJV)

3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:3) (NIV)

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12) (KJV)

12 Don’t let anyone look down on youbecause you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12) (NIV)

16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. (1 Timothy 5:16) (KJV)

16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. (1 Timothy 5:16) (NIV)

2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. (1 Timothy 6:2) (KJV)

2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[a] of their slaves.
These are the things you are to teach and insist on. (1 Timothy 6:2) (NIV)

6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. (Titus 1:6) (KJV)

6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe[b] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. (Titus 1:6) (NIV)

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 1:1) (KJV)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 1:1) (NIV)

17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. (1 Corinthians 4:17) (KJV)

17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my sonwhom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. (1 Corinthians  4:17) (NIV)

From the above verses, we could see that faitfulness is inter-related to faith, believe, believers. KJV described "faifulness" as "faith" in Galatians 5:22-23.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) (KJV)

It is used also of God's word or covenant as true and to be trusted ( Psalms 119:86 Psalms 119:138 ;Isaiah 25:1 ; 1 Timothy 1:15 ; Revelation 21:5 ; 22:6 , etc.).

86 All Your commandments are faithful;
They persecute me wrongfully;
Help me!  (Psalms 119:86) (NKJV)

138 Your testimonies, which You have commanded,
Are righteous and very faithful. (Psalms 119:138) (NKJV)

O Lord, You are my God.
I will exalt You,
I will praise Your name,
For You have done wonderful things;
Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. (Isaiah 25:1) (NKJV)

5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. (1 Timothy 1:5) (NKJV)

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me,[b] “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:5) (NKJV)

6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy[b] prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. (Revelation 22:6) (NKJV)

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/faithfulness.html

Faithfulness [N] [T]

In the Old Testament, God's faithfulness and covenant love are closely related ( Deut 7:9 ; Psalm 25:10 ;85:10 ). The most profound example of his faithfulness is the bond between God and the people of the northern kingdom of Israel. In spite of their unfaithfulness, God reminds them that he is betrothed to them in faithfulness ( Hosea 2:20 ).

9 “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;  (Deuteronomy 7:9) (NKJV)

10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. (Psalms 25:10) (NKJV)

10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
    toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. (Psalms 25:10) (NIV)

10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. (Psalms 25:10) (RSV)

10 Mercy and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed. (Psalms 85:10) (NKJV)

10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
    righteousness and peace kiss each other. (Psalms 85:10) (NIV)

20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
And you shall know the Lord. (Hosea 2:20) (NKJV)

In the above verses, we can see that faithfulness and truth is used with similar meaning.

The Israelites were expected to respond in faithfulness to God because he had acted faithfully to them through the covenant. David and other godly people chose to walk the faithful way, the way of truth ( Psalm 119:30 ). Just as God is both faithful and loving, those who believe in God need to exhibit faithfulness and steadfast love in their lives ( Prov 3:3 ).

30 I have chosen the way of truth;
Your judgments I have laid before me. (Psalms 119:30) (NKJV)

30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I have set my heart on your laws. (Psalms 119:30) (NIV)

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart, (Proverbs 3:3) (NKJV)

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3) (NIV)

3 Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;
    bind them about your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3) (RSV)

In the above verses, we also see that faithfulness is truth; mercy and truth (in NKJV) is love and faithfulness (in NIV).

In the New Testament, God also Acts in faithfulness: He provides for both good and evil people ( Matt 5:45); he rewards those who do his good will ( Matthew 6:4 Matthew 6:6 Matthew 6:18 ); he provides a way out for believers in the midst of temptation ( 1 Cor 10:13 ); he remains faithful as he fulfills his promises ( 2 Cor 1:18-19 ).

3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.[a]
5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.[b]  (Matthew 6:3-6) (NKJV)

3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:3-6) (NIV)

16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.[d] (Matthew 6:18) (NKJV)

God is faithful, and will reward those who do the various types of good deeds, including charity, prayer, and fasting.

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) (NKJV)

18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas[c] and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” (2 Corinthians 1:18-19) (NIV)

Paul reminds us that even when we are faithless God remains faithful because he cannot disown himself ( 2 Tim 2:13 ). John declares that Jesus is the faithful and true witness ( Rev 3:14 ), the Faithful and True ( Rev 19:11 ). God remains faithful to New Testament believers, both fulfilling and promising to fulfill the promises of the Old Testament.

13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself. (2 Timothy 2:13) (NKJV)

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans[f] write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:  (Revelation 3:14) (NKJV)

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. (Revelation 19:11) (NKJV)

In the above verses, we can see the emphasis using double synonyms, Faithful and True. Because the word "truth" is almost similar to and interchangeable with the word "faithfulness."

Christians, like the Israelites, are to respond to God in faithfulness. Trustworthy servants must prove themselves to be faithful ( 1 Cor 4:2 ). Epaphrus and Tychicus are identified as faithful ministers of Christ (Col 1:7 ; 4:7 ). Paul remains faithful to God in spite of tremendous pressures ( 1 Tim 1:12 ). Timothy is to select teachers who will exhibit faithfulness, one of the outstanding characteristics of Christians. The Spirit of God enables Christians to remain faithful to both God and other believers ( Gal 5:22 ).

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2) (NKJV)

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2) (NIV)

7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,  (Colossians 1:7)  (NKJV)

7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. (Colossians 4:7) (NKJV)

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, (1 Timothy 1:12) (NKJV)

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. (1 Timothy 1:12) (NIV)

12 I thank him who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service, (1 Timothy 1;12) (RSV)

In the above verses, we can see the relation and similarity of the words "faithful" and "trustworthy," and the words "faithfulness" and "trust."  We also learn that a very important attribute for serving in God's ministry or service, is being faithful and trustworthy.

Monday, Feb 3, 2014.
Michael Yeap.

Fruit of The Spirit: (6) GOODNESS

GOODNESS is the sixth of the nine parts of the Fruit of The Spirit.


Easton's Bible Dictionary.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/eastons-bible-dictionary/goodness.html

in man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good.


Baker's Evangelical Dictionary.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/good-goodness.html

Good, Goodness

The main Old Testament words for good/goodness come from the Hebrew word tob [b'f] while the most common New Testament words are kalos [kalov"], agathos [ajgaqov"], chrestos [crhstov"], and their cognates. These words often appear in a nonmoral sense; a "good" or "good-of-appearance" woman is beautiful ( Gen 6:2 ; 24:16 ; 26:7 ; 2 Sam 11:2 ; Est 1:11 ; Esther 2:2-3 Esther 2:7 ) and a "good" man is handsome ( 1 Sam 9:2 ). 

2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. (Gen 6:2) (NKJV)

When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. (Gen 6:1-2) (NIV)

16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. (Genesis 24:16) (NKJV)

16 The woman was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever slept with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again (Genesis 24:16) (NIV)

7 And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon. (Genesis 26:7) (NKJV)

7 When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” because he was afraid to say, “She is my wife.” He thought, “The men of this place might kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is beautiful.” (Genesis 26:7) (NIV)

2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. (2 Samuel 11:2) (NKJV)

2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful,3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”  (2 Samuel 11:2) (NIV)

11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. (Esther 1:11) (NKJV)

10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— 11 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. (Esther 1:10-11) (NIV)

2 Then the king’s servants who attended him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king. 3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in Susa the capital, under custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch who is in charge of the women; let their ointments be given them. (Esther 2:2-3) (RSV)

2 Then the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. 3 Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. (Esther 2:2-3) (NIV)

2 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: (Esther 2:2-3) (NKJV)

7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. (Esther 2:7) (NKJV)

7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died. (Esther 2:7) (NIV)

7 He had brought up Hadas′sah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother; the maiden was beautiful and lovely, and when her father and her mother died, Mor′decai adopted her as his own daughter. (Esther 2:7) (RSV)

2 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. (1 Samuel 9:2) (NKJV)

2 Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else. (1 Samuel 9:2) (NIV)

2 and he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he; from his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people (1 Samuel 9:2) (RSV)

In the above verses, we could "good" or "goodness" in the Old Testament is used to describe beautiful, fair, lovely, and handsome.

A land may be good ( Deuteronomy 1:25 Deuteronomy 1:35 ) and so may gold ( 2 Chronicles 3:5 2 Chronicles 3:8 ), soil ( Luke 8:8 ), a tree ( Matt 7:17 ), wine ( John 2:10 ), or all of creation (seven times in Gen. 1). But the most theologically important uses of these words have to do with moral qualities.

25 And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the Lord our God doth give us. (Deuteronomy 1:25) (NKJV)

25 Taking with them some of the fruit of the land, they brought it down to us and reported, “It is a good land that the Lord our God is giving us." (Deuteronomy 1:25) (NIV)

35 Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers. (Deuteronomy 1:35) (NKJV)

34 When the Lord heard what you said, he was angry and solemnly swore: 35 “No one from this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, 36 except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly.” (Deuteronomy 1:35) (NIV)

3 These are Solomon’s measurements[a] for building the house of God: the length, in cubits of the old standard, was sixty cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits. 4 The vestibule in front of the nave of the house was twenty cubits long, equal to the width of the house;[b] and its height was a hundred and twenty cubits. He overlaid it on the inside with pure gold. 5 The nave he lined with cypress, and covered it with fine gold, and made palms and chains on it. 6 He adorned the house with settings of precious stones. The gold was gold of Parva′im. 7 So he lined the house with gold—its beams, its thresholds, its walls, and its doors; and he carved cherubim on the walls.

8 And he made the most holy place; its length, corresponding to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and its breadth was twenty cubits; he overlaid it with six hundred talents of fine gold. 9 The weight of the nails was one shekel[c] to fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold. (2 Chronicles 3:3-9) (RSV)

8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundrfold. Aednd when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 8:8) (NKJV)

8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” (Luke 8:8) (NIV)

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (Matthew 7:17) (NKJV)

17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. (Matthew 7:17-18) (NIV)

10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. (John 2:10) (NKJV)

10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” (John 2:10) (NIV)

In the verses above, we can see the various of "good":
1) Good land/soil/ground - fertile land that bears fruit,
2) Good tree - good tree that produces good fruit,
3) Fine gold - high quality gold,
4) Good wine, choice win - high grade wine.

God's goodness is a bedrock truth of Scripture. His goodness is praised in the psalms ( 25:8 ; 34:8 ; 86:5 ;100:5 ; 118:1 ; 136:1 ; 145:9 ). Jesus affirms the Father's goodness when speaking to the rich young ruler ( Matt 19:17 ; Mark 10:18 ; Luke 18:19 ). In 1 Peter 2:3 Peter echoes the language of Psalm 34:8: "Taste and see that the Lord is good!"'

8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. (Psalms 25:8)(NKJV)

8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (Psalms 34:8) (NKJV)

5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. (Psalms 86:5) (NKJV)

5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalms 100:5) (NKJV)

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalms 118:1) (NKJV)

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalms 136:1) (NKJV)

9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. (Psalms 145:9) (NKJV)

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 19:17) (NKJV)

16 And behold, one came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:16-17) (RSV)

16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:16-17) (NIV)

17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. (Mark 10:17-18) (NKJV)

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. (Mark 10:17-18) (NIV)

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. (Luke 18:18-19) (NKJV)

18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. (Luke 18:18-19) (NIV)

Although we might discuss God's goodness in some abstract philosophical sense, in Scripture his goodness appears most clearly in his dealings with people. He is not only good in general, but he is goodt o us ( Psalm 23:6 ; 68:10 ; 73:1 ; 119:65 ; 145:9 ; Lam 3:25 ; Luke 6:35 ; Rom 2:4 ; 11:22 ; Eph 2:7 ;Titus 3:4 ). 

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever (Psalms 23:6) (NKJV)

6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever. (Psalms 23:6) (NIV)

10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor. (Psalms 68:10) (NKJV)

Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. (Psalms73:1) (NKJV)

1 Surely God is good to Israel,
    to those who are pure in heart. (Psalms 73:1) (NIV)

1 65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word. (Psalms 119:65) (NKJV)

65 Do good to your servant
    according to your word, Lord. (Psalms 119:65) (NIV)

9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. (Psalms 145:9) (NKJV)

25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. (Lamentations 3:25) (NKJV)

35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (Luke 6:35) (NKJV)

35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. (Luke 6:35) (NIV)

4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4) (NKJV)

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Romans 11:22) (NKJV)

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7) (NKJV)

Human goodness is modeled on divine goodness ( Matt 5:48 ). For human beings goodness involves right behavior, expresses itself in kindness and other praiseworthy qualities, includes avoiding evil, and springs from the inner person.

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48) (NKJV)

48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)(NIV)

It is nearly impossible to think about goodness in the abstract. In Scripture goodness always involves particular ways of behaving. Because God is good, he is good to his people; when people are good they behave decently toward each other, based on God's goodness to them. Moses' invitation to Hobab expresses this emphasis: "Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel" ( Num 10:29 ). The general biblical words for "good/ goodness" include this idea of right behavior, although the idea is often expressed by means of a more specific term like "upright/uprightness" or "righteous/righteousness."

The goodness God's people exhibit shows itself in various moral qualities, notably kindness; hesed [d,s,j], translated "goodness" or "kindness, " serves as one of the major synonyms of tob [b'f], "good, " in the Old Testament. 

In the New Testament many words describe the specific characteristics and behaviors of good people, including "just/justice, " "righteous/ righteousness, " "holy/holiness, " "pure/ purity, " "gentle/gentleness, " and "kind/kindness." If "goodness" is the general term, these other specific terms show what goodness means in daily living.

Goodness involves not only right behavior but also avoiding its opposite, evil. The choice between good and evil has lain before people since the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve ate fruit from the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" ( Gen 2:9 ). Since then God's curse has fallen on "those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter" ( Isa 5:20 ). A wise ruler like Solomon, or indeed anyone who wants to obey God, needs the wisdom to tell good from evil ( 1 Kings 3:9 ; Heb 5:14 ). Those who serve God will "seek good, not evil, hate evil, love good" ( Amos 5:14-15 ).

For the Christian or the faithful Israelite, goodness has never been a matter of outward behavior alone; it comes from within. An evil person is evil within ( Gen 6:5 ; Mark 7:14-23 ; and parallels). In the same way a good person's good behavior shows a good heart ( Matt 12:33-35 ).

In the Old Testament God's goodness to his people and their goodness in response is based on the covenant between them. God's appeal to his people to return to the covenant relationship finds expression in a call to simple goodness ( Mic 6:6-8 ). In the New Testament goodness is a fruit of the Spirit ( Gal 5:22), while moral excellence is one of the steps on the "ladder of virtue" ( 2 Peter 1:5 ).

Sunday, Feb 2, 2014.
Michael Yeap.