Understanding and Living God's Goodness

The goodness of God is one of the attributes of God that must truly inhabit us. We must be imbued with it because, as with the other attributes, it is fundamental to our relationship with Him. This message on the goodness of God rejoices the heart; I was moved while teaching it. And what an awareness of His goodness invaded me while preparing it. Yes, God is good, to all, including the ungrateful and the wicked. This is one of the strong points of the message. Understanding the goodness of God and His instructions to live like Him leads to a radical paradigm shift.

Here are the questions to ponder and the video below for all my non-ABBA HOUSE readers. All of these questions relate to points raised in the message.

Questions

1. What is the goodness of God?
2. Explain the significance of Moses' encounter with the glory of God in Exodus 36.
3. What are the attributes of His goodness, with supporting verses?
4. Explain the multiplication of favor in Psalm 40:5-6. How does this change your mindset?
5. Explain in detail the demonstration of God's goodness in creation. What impact does this have on you?
6. Explain God's kindness to humans, with supporting verses. What characterizes this kindness?
7. Explain God's kindness to creatures.
8. Explain God's kindness to the ungrateful and the wicked, with supporting verses. What are the ramifications?
9. How is God's goodness a weapon?
10. How is God's goodness a wisdom that enables us to live in obedience?
11. Give examples of the wrongs you have experienced due to a lack of understanding of God's goodness.
12. Find refuge in Him. Under what circumstances, and what are the consequences? Be specific.
13. How can we avoid abusing God's goodness? What prevents us from falling into indifference or presumption?
14. In His kindness, God always gives human beings the opportunity to begin again. Comment on this, explaining its significance and consequences.

Comment

1. If we do not have God's revelation, we will entertain thoughts about Him that do not correspond to reality;
2. We can be good to people when we are aware of God's goodness to us.
3. The worst thing that can happen to a Christian isn't sin; it's indifference toward God. If you're indifferent, sin lies at your door. If you're indifferent, intimacy is distant.
4. The lack of enthusiasm in praise betrays our lack of revelation.
5. You have not tasted God's goodness until you recognize your own inadequacy and the great mercy you have for still being here.

Some verses

Matthew 5:44-45 Segond 21 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Acts 14.17 Acts 14:16-17 Segond 21 16 In past generations he let all nations go their own ways. 17 Yet he did not stop testifying to what he is by the good he does: He sends you rains and fruitful seasons from heaven, he fills you with food and fills your heart with joy.»Luke 6:35 NIV 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is good to the ungrateful and to the wicked.

Psalms 145:9 Segond 21 9 7 The memory will be proclaimed of your immense kindness, Your righteousness will be celebrated.8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, He is slow to anger and full of kindness.The Lord is good to all, His compassion extends to all his works.