The following articles are related to the topic of GOODNESS

Loving Life; Seeing Good Days

In his first epistle, Peter cites a phrase that quickly engages one's attention. "He that would love life, and see good days, let him ..." (1 Peter 3:10). Who could possibly resist not probing this captivating sentence for additional information? Who does not long to "love life"? Who does not cherish "good days"? The passage seems to provide the hope ... read more »

Who Was the Good Samaritan?

One of Christ's most popular forms of instruction was the "parable" - a true-to-life story designed to illustrate important spiritual concepts. Perhaps the two most recognizable of these twenty-nine deposits of New Testament instruction are the parables of the Prodigal Son, and the Good Samaritan. In this piece, we will reflect upon the Samaritan narrative (Lk. 10:25-37). The Interrogating Lawyer ... read more »

Reflections on the Goodness of God

The incident is found in all of the synoptic accounts (Mt. 19:16-22; Mk. 10:17-22; Lk. 18:18-23). A young, wealthy ruler was acquainted with the ministry of Christ. On a certain occasion, therefore, this official ran to Jesus, knelt before him, and asked: "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" In his response, the Lord asked: ... read more »

Why Do Good People Do Bad Things?

Some years ago a prominent Jewish scholar wrote a book titled, When Bad Things Happen To Good People. Though the book was not totally void of merit, it was flawed seriously in that the author suggested that whereas God might wish the situation were otherwise, he is powerless to remedy the problem of evil. The writer's solution was a classic ... read more »

When Goodness Is as the Morning Dew

Hosea was an eighth-century B.C. prophet whose prophetic messages were aimed primarily at the wicked northern kingdom of Israel. The background of the book relates to the prophet's personal history. He was married to a woman whose name was Gomer. After the birth of their first child, Gomer became unfaithful, even pursuing the profession of a street harlot. From this ... read more »

All Things Work Together for Good: Controversy or Comfort?

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 KJV). This passage is surely one of the most precious to the child of God, fondly embraced in times of trial. And yet, it appears to be seriously misunderstood by many-in a host ... read more »

The Power of Speech, for Good or Evil

On the first day of Earth's initial week, at some point following a primary creation, the inspired Genesis record declares: "And God said. . . " (Gen. 1:3). This expression is found no fewer than ten times in Genesis 1. The reader is thus introduced to the power of speech. Later the psalmist would write: "He spoke, and it was ... read more »

Old Testament Events and the Goodness of God

The Scriptures affirm that God is morally perfect. He is holy (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8), just and righteous (Psalm 89:14), and good (Psalm 100:5; 106:1). Being a morally perfect entity (Matthew 5:48), all that God does, commands, and approves must of necessity be good (Psalm 119:39,68). In view of this, the beginning Bible student may be troubled when he encounters ... read more »

Matthew 13:8 – Seed Sown in “Good Ground”

In his parable about the man who sowed seed, Jesus said that some of the seed "fell upon the good ground, and yielded fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty" (Mt. 13:8). Later, in explaining the parable to his disciples, the Lord told what he meant by "good" soil.This type of ground represented a certain quality of person-the one ... read more »

All Good People Go to Heaven — No Matter What?

My interest was piqued when one of the Pennsylvania coal miners related a conversation between himself and another trapped miner during an emotional interview that aired last Tuesday night with Stone Phillips of Dateline NBC. This young miner said that he asked an older veteran during the ordeal, "Will I go to heaven. . . cause I know the Bible ... read more »