Good or bad? These words are some of the most basic descriptors of quality and morality that we learn about from the time we are children. Though even small children can understand the concepts, they are ideas central to our understanding of God and our standing before Him. Consider Jesus’ interaction with a rich young ruler over the word “good”:

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?”

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

That is a weighty statement: “No one is good—except God alone.” Can we as humans then never experience goodness? That would be a troubling reality. Actually, the opposite is true. God is the ultimate good and, because of His redemption and rule, we can experience and radiate His goodness in the midst of a broken world.

Consider:

• We were created in God’s image and God is good (Genesis 1:26-28).
• Followers of Christ are meant to reflect the goodness of God, as we become more like His Son (Romans 8:29).
• A primary way the world can see and know God’s good Kingdom is through our good lives (we’ll talk more about this in our next post).

Human beings are sinful and in need of a Savior. And because God alone is good, it is He who enables His followers to shine the light of that goodness in a dark world.

Where do you see the goodness of God shining through you into the darkness of the world? Are there other opportunities to do so with friends and family?