God is Good

God is good! Does that mean that we are not good? The Bible tells us in James 1:16 that "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above."

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

James 1:16-17, ESV

God is good! Does that mean that we are not good? The Bible tells us in James 1:16 that "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above."

God is Good - Good and Evil

What does it mean that God is good? We are so accustomed to our world where good and evil co-exist, that we cannot contemplate God who is only good. No evil exists in Him.

Charles Simeon, a theologian from the 18th and 19th centuries said it this way: "We forget that at the first creation there was no such thing as evil, either natural or moral, in the whole universe."

Yet that changed when Satan tempted Adam and Eve, promising them the knowledge of good and evil. When they succumbed to his temptation, the entire world was plunged into evil along with them.

We need to remember that there is not one shred of evil in God. He, alone, is pure and holy.

God is Good - Perfect Gifts

James, then, is correct in stating: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.

There is a common teaching that man is basically good or at least his heart is in the right place. However, that is not what the Bible teaches. Yes, we can, through the righteousness of Christ become good, but never perfect in this life. Good only comes as a gift from God!

God is Good - He Never Changes

Not only is God good, but He never changes. James 1:17 says, "Coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Why is this important to all today - believers and non-believers? In a day when every idea and lifestyle is acceptable, it is hard to sink our feet on solid ground. What is acceptable today may not be acceptable tomorrow.

But, God is not like that. He not only is good and perfect, but He will never change. Therefore, He is the only one who can define what is good or acceptable in our lives. We, as believers, must rest our faith upon Christ.

We are not good until we come to Christ, confess our sins, and accept Him as our personal Lord and Savior. Then, we should go to His Word, the Bible, and read and study it. In Christ (because He is God) we find perfect righteousness and stability.

Though we, as believers, will never be perfect in this life, we can gradually become more and more like Christ through Bible study and prayer. My prayer today is that you will set your heart upon things above. Go to Christ and ask Him to save you and then teach and instruct you so that you can become more and more like Him.

God is Good - A Life Changing Experience

Coming to Christ is a life changing experience. Nothing will ever be the same. Through Christ we can obtain true peace, joy, and stability. And, we have a glorious future that awaits us when we leave this world. No more will sin and death plague us. We will be with Christ in heaven where no sin or darkness exists.

God Bless You,

Linda