Friday, May 06, 2011
Has God been good to you? When we say, “God has been so good to me”, we usually (not always!) have just been materially benefited. We have huge homes, fine cars, money in the bank, so we then say, “God has been so good to me.” I am not implying that any of those things are wrong! I would however like you to consider the FACT that if every single thing you owned was taken from you tomorrow, God is still good. Here are just a few of the many reasons why our God is good:
God is good because He is merciful.“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 The other day, I actually heard a “Christian” speaking in doubt about Christ's return. He said, “People have been looking for His return for years and years.” That is a true statement, but look at the verse ”but is longsuffering.” He will return someday. I believe it will be soon. We all know someone who is lost. It is God's mercy that He has not yet returned, for when He does, it will then be too late for the lost to turn to Christ. We say that God needs to have mercy on us Christians and come and rescue us. He does have mercy and that is why He has not yet come. (NOTE: before you write me about the difference b/w the Rapture and the Second Coming, I do know the difference) God is good because He is just.“He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Deut. 32:4 When you look around in our society, you see wickedness and immorality running rampant. People live as though there is no God. They live as though there will never be judgment. Hebrews tells us the answer to that. “ And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” The Psalmist tells us, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. ” While it may SEEM that folks are getting away with sin against a holy God, God's Word never lies. He is the “Judge of all the earth” and He will execute that judgment. "Our God is a God of mercy. Our God is a God of grace. Our God is a longsuffering God. He is a God who is abundant in goodness and truth. Our God is a God who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin, BUT He cannot and will not CLEAR the guilty. God cannot put away a sin until someone has paid the penalty for that sin." (JWK, A Sure Foundation, p. 59) He is the King whether we acknowledge Him or not. “ My steps had well nigh slipped.For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ...When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. ” Psalm 73:2b-3, 16-18 The wicked may prosper for awhile, but we should always remember that to many, this is as close to Heaven as they will ever come. This is a sobering thought that should compel us to share the Gospel with everyone. “God judges sin, but God saves and delivers the righteous. You and I are not righteous. Jesus Christ is righteous. We must come to Him. We must receive Him. We must believe on Him and trust HIM for our soul's salvation.” (James W. Knox, A Sure Foundation, p. 61)God is good because He forgives.“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Ps. 86:5 God our Creator knew us in our mother's womb (Ps. 139:13-16). He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows we are but dust (Ps. 103:14). Yet, knowing how underserving we are, He loves us and is ready to forgive us of our sins. (I Jn. 1:9) Not one person has ever existed, except for Jesus Christ, who has not sinned against God. (Rom. 3:23) Because God is just, a payment had to be made for our sin. Christ Jesus paid the debt for all men. We all need forgiveness and God is a forgiving God. It does not matter what a man does, God can and will forgive any man who will come to Him, repent of his sin, and receive Him as His Saviour. (Acts. 16:31; 2 Pet. 3:9; Jn. 3:16)
There are so many good things about our God that I could write for years and never “scratch the surface” of His goodness. His mercy, justice, and forgiveness are just a few reasons why He is good. If you are able to read this, thank Him for being good to you. If you are able to speak and hear, thank Him for being good to you. If you have been born-again, thank Him for saving your soul from Hell. Do not only thank Him for your “stuff”, thank Him for your life. Do not forget where you came from and where you could be, if not for grace. A thankful heart always responds with praise and action. Praise Him for His goodness and then go out and share His goodness with others. We have such a good God and so much to thank Him for!
The following is a video from my former church Truth Missionary Baptist and my friend Sammy Kay Jr. singing, "God is Still Good."