What Does The Bible Say About Goodness? Today, it is unfortunate that the word “good” is used so often and widely that it almost becomes a meaningless description. Very few people are interested on how to become a good person these days. Many would be like, “I’m not even sure that I want to become a ‘good’ person.” I was filled with sorrow when I heard that the mother of a convicted killer openly said that her son was a “good boy.” She proceeded by saying that her son did not really mean any wrong when he shot the other man and took his money. From the Best Bible Verses On Goodness, we’ll learn that this is an abuse of the word “goodness.”
On several occasions, we hear people in the world saying, “The way to get into heaven is to be a good person.” Again, this indicates that the definition of “goodness” in their minds is so vague, ambiguous, and broad thereby making almost everyone qualified. This wrong perception stipulates that if you’ve ever done anything good for someone, even if it was to earn your Boy Scout Badge, you are in! However, the Bible clearly teaches us that no amount of goodness can qualify a person for Heaven. You might be wondering why. The reason is simple, God is absolutely Holy, Good, and He cannot, and He will not allow sinful people into His Heavenly Kingdom excerpt they Sincerely Repent and start obeying the Key Teachings of Jesus Christ while on Earth.
What Does The Bible Say About Goodness?
What the Scriptures say about Goodness
The scriptures are clear on the subject of goodness. Both Jesus Christ and His Apostles spoke of goodness. We’ll base our write-up on what Apostle Paul said in Romans 3:12 – “there is none who does good, there is not even one” because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This message is supported by Jesus Christ Himself in His response to the young rich ruler, who called Him good, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone” (Luke 18:19). Jesus Christ clearly knew that the young rich man was using the word in a relative human sense, and not in the absolute sense of referring to God Almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth.
Since none of us is good enough for Heaven, we all need a savior to bridge the chasm between us and God. Hence, you might be wondering why the Bible calls certain men “good.” When the Bible calls a man, “a good man,” it is speaking relatively, and not perfectly. It is like saying “this is a man whose life we should study and learn from.” Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Luke says that Barnabas “was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24). Luke’s description starts on the surface and works inward. One might ask, how was Barnabas a good man? He was a good man because he was filled with the Holy Spirit. This leads to another question, how was he filled with the Holy Spirit? It was by being a man of faith in thoughts, words and actions.
How to become a good person (Acts 11:23-24)
We will learn about how the life of a good person looks like by studying that of Barnabas. Talking of a good person is talking of a person who loves God and his/her neighbor (thereby honoring the two greatest commandments). It is in this sense that we will look at how a person becomes good, namely, being faithful to God’s commands as he/she walks as led by the Holy Spirit. Still on what the Bible says about goodness, we’ll conclude our honest look at the life of Barnabas by pointing to the fact that even a man the Bible refers to as “good” is not perfect.
1. To be a good person, you must love God and others through a walk of faith in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 22:37-40)
Matthew 22:37-40 – “Teacher,” he asked, “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and the most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ The whole Law of Moses and the Teachings of the Prophets depend on these two commandments.” In short, the whole Bible is summed-up in these two commands. There is no commandment in the Bible that calls on us to love ourselves. Hence, you might be wondering why? The reason is simple, the Bible supposes that we already love ourselves more than enough. If we would just love others as we love ourselves, we will be fulfilling God’s Holy Law.
A look at the life of Barnabas reveals that, although far from perfection (just as we all are), his life was based on loving God and others. Barnabas was a religious man. According to Acts 4:36, he was a Livite by birth. Note that it was the obligation of all Levites to serve in the Jewish Temple. However, Barnabas noticed that his religion did not, because it could not, reconcile him to God Almighty, Father of Creation. Barnabas recognized that He was a sinner and that Jesus Christ was the one whom God sent to bear our sins. Having this in mind, he sincerely repented from his sins and was born again of water and the Holy Spirit. He responded to God’s love in John 3:16 – “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life”
The love of ‘a good’ person for God in manifestation
a. Heartfelt Devotion (Acts 13:2)
In Acts 13:2, we perceive Barnabas, together with other Church leaders at Antioch “ministering to God and fasting.” As followers of Christ, we’ve all been called to embrace a life of prayer, fasting, praise, and worship to God. Just as Barnabas and the Church leaders at Antioch, we can also show our love to God by spending time in heartfelt devotion. This is highly inline with what the Bible says about goodness.
b. Willful Obedience (John 14:15)
Willing obedience should be part of all followers of Christ. That is, we should always be ready and willing to obey all God’s commands. Keeping God’s commands is a great way of showing our love for Him. Jesus Christ Himself spoke of this in John 14:15 – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” We cannot talk of loving God when our hearts are far from obedience. Barnabas understood this, and that’s why when the Apostles in Jerusalem needed someone to go to Antioch, he willingly accepted to be sent. Note that obedience to the commands of God comes with uncountable blessings from Heaven.
What it means to truly love others as commanded by Jesus Christ (John 15:12-15)
John 15:12-15 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one that this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
a. A loving person accepts imperfect believers, while encouraging them to do what is right before God
Perhaps you did not know, but Barnabas was a nickname that meant “son of encouragement.” And behold, he was true to form by the time that he saw the new Gentile believers in Antioch. With the eyes of faith, Barnabas could see God’s saving grace which was at work in Antioch despite the fact that he was a Jewish Priest, a man raised in the strictness of the law and called to strictly respect separation from Gentiles. We are told in the scriptures that instead of Barnabas grumbling about the Jews and Gentiles eating together, he rejoiced as he encouraged them to remain true and faithful to God (Acts 11:23).
Behold brethren, this reaction coming from a Jewish priest is strange. This leads us to asking for an explanation. The explanation given for why Barnabas rejoiced and encouraged these new believers, rather than treating them in the expected Jewish fashion, “was that he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24). Barnabas was really more of a loving individual. When Saul returned to Jerusalem as a relatively new believer, Barnabas welcomed and showed him love even when others where still skeptical about his conversion. Note that the Christians there were afraid of Saul, as they thought he was just faking his Christian faith in order to get on the inside, where he would continue his murderous ways. However, Barnabas talked to Paul and became convinced. It was then that he invited the other believers to welcome Saul and fear him no more (Acts 9:26-27).
b. A loving person desires to see others using their gifts for the glory of God, even if it means being eclipsed in His own ministry
The Bible tells us that when the Christian work in Antioch was too much for Barnabas to single-handle, he did not return to Jerusalem but went looking for Saul to come and help him. He eventually met Saul who was willing to help him. Behold, Saul eclipsed Barnabas in their work together, but Barnabas didn’t mind as he was more concerned about the advancement of God’s Kingdom rather than making a name for himself. Instead of fighting his fellow worker, Saul with the aim of making a name for himself as many are doing today, Barnabas was rather focused on seeing God glorified and His work furthered through young and spiritually gifted men like Paul.
A similar story just like that of Barnabas and Saul is reflected by The Life of William Farel. William Farel was a courageous evangelist and reformer for several years before John Calvin was even converted. He suffered much to bring the gospel to Geneva. One day, in July 1536, a young man rushed into Farel’s quarters and told him that Calvin was in town for one night. Farel had read Calvin’s Institutes that had just been published and was very much convinced that he was a partner sent by God to assist him with the work in Geneva.
Farel meets Calvin
He went to the inn where Calvin was staying just to perceive a timid and shy young man of 27 years. He implored Calvin to stay in Geneva and assist him with the work of God. However, on several occasions, Calvin kept on developing excuses not to stay as he pointed out that his calling was to be a reclusive scholar and not a teacher or pastor in the public eye.
Finally, with fire in his eyes, Farel reminded Calvin of Jonah’s story and gave him these words of thunder, “May God curse your rest, and curse your studies, if for their sake you flee from the work He would have you do!” Calvin trembled, remained silent, and finally concluded that it was God’s will for him to stay and promote the Gospel in Geneva. Today, almost everyone knows about Calvin but very few know about William Farel. This is to say that Biblical love delights to see others serving God with their spiritual gifts.
c. A loving person is generous with his/her time, money and other material possessions in meeting the needs of the poor and those in need
Our first encounter of Barnabas is in Acts 3:36-37 whereby he is selling his property to lay the proceeds at the Apostles’ feet to meet the needs of the early church in Jerusalem. Some years later, we hear Apostle Paul referring to Barnabas as one, like him, who labored with his own hands to support himself in the ministry of the Holy Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:6). Barnabas was a generous man, free from greed, and obedient to God. His generosity reflects his Love for God and that for his neighbor.
d. A loving person devotes him/herself to reaching the lost with the Good News of Jesus Christ
If you truly love your neighbor, you’ll b concerned about both their physical and spiritual well-being but above all their spiritual well-being. For the Bible says anyone who gathers all riches on Earth but loses his own soul in the Lake of Fire has not gained anything. Hence, be more concerned about the spiritual well-being of your neighbor more than anything else. You can do this by encouraging them to stick to the faith of Christ as they obey the commands of God. God used Barnabas in Antioch to reach a considerable number of souls and win them into His Kingdom through Christ (Acts 11:21,23). The most loving thing to do to a person is to tell them about the love of Jesus Christ through whom we obtain mercy, grace, and eternal life from God.
2. Walking by faith in the Holy Spirit is the source of any human goodness
The Bible tells us that Barnabas was full of the Holy Spirit and Faith. This is actually the source of his goodness. It is in this light that Apostle Paul says in Galatians 5:16 – “What I say is this: let the spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature.” Let’s read more about the human nature from Galatians 5:19-21 – “What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions; in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry, and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups, they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. I warn you now as I have before: those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God.”
On the other hand, let’s read what the Holy Spirit produces in us from Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.” Here, we learn that “goodness” is one of the fruits being produced in us by the Holy Spirit. And for sure, the Holy Spirit produces it out of the love in us. For more info, read our article on Bible Verses About Fruitfulness. The Bible also tells us that as followers of Christ, we walk by faith and not by sight. We can as well put it that, we walk by the spirit of faith. That is, a walk which is led by the Spirit of God. In this walk, we fully rely on the Holy Spirit for Strength to overcome temptation that stems from the world, or the flesh.
3. Even good people who walk in dependence of the Spirit have their weaknesses and failures
It is without doubt that Barnabas was the champion of God’s grace in Antioch, as seen in his rejoicing and acceptance of the Gentiles into the Most Holy Faith. It was unfortunate that he later fell into sin concerning this very matter about accepting Gentiles into the faith. By reading from Galatians 2:11-13, we hear Apostle Paul recounting what once happened when Peter came to Antioch. It is said that before certain men from the circumcision part in Jerusalem came to Antioch, Peter ate with the Gentiles, contrary to the Jewish Tradition. When these men arrived, Peter feared and held himself aloof. It is also said that the rest of the Jewish Christians joined him in this act of hypocrisy. Since this act involved the very truth of the Gospel (Galatians 2:14), Apostle Paul openly confronted Peter and those who had followed his bad example.
The phrase that “even Barnabas,” shows how out-of-character this behavior was for this godly man. Hence, we can say that even those who are spiritually mature are have their weaknesses and are also prone to error or failure. Usually, our greatest strengths are also the source of our greatest weaknesses. It is without doubt that Apostle Peter and Barnabas were grounded in the faith but out of fear of offending the men who came from the mother church in Jerusalem, they fell into sin. It was then the Apostle Paul pointed out with much courage that the thoughts of those from the mother Church in Jerusalem were wrong and needed to be reviewed and adjusted. However, it is when we are first weak that we become even stronger (1 Corinthians 12:7-10).
What The Bible Says About Goodness
1 Corinthians 10:2 – “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
Psalm 145:17 – “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.”
Romans 12:9 – “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Nahum 1:7 – “The Lord is good,a refuge in times of trouble.He cares for those who trust in him.”
Galatians 6:10 – “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Romans 12:21 – “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
2 Peter 1:5-7 – “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control, and to self-control, perseverance, and to perseverance, godliness, and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”
Psalm 37:3 – “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.“
Matthew 5:15-16 – “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Group 1 – What The Bible Says About Goodness
Jeremiah 6:16 – “This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”
Proverbs 19:22 – “What a person desires is unfailing love;better to be poor than a liar.”
Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
2 Corinthians 9:8 – “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Proverbs 2:9 – “Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.”
1 Peter 3:13 – “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?”
Luke 6:36 – “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Psalm 25:6-7 – “Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me,for you, Lord, are good.”
Psalm 34:14 – “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
Psalm 27:13 – “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.“
Group 2 – What The Bible Says About Goodness
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Psalm 23:6 – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Titus 2:14 – “Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
1 Timothy 2:9-10 – “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”
James 1:17 – “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.”
Psalm 34:8 – “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”
Psalm 31:19 – “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!”
Group 3 – What The Bible Says About Goodness
Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Psalm 27:13– “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!”
Galatians 6:10 – “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Romans 2:4 – “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”
Romans 12:9 – “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”
James 3:13 – “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.”
Exodus 33:19 – “And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”
Matthew 12:35 – “The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.”
Micah 6:8 – “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Group 4 – What The Bible Says About Goodness
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Psalm 25:7 – “Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!”
Nahum 1:7 – “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.”
Romans 15:14 – “I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.”
Psalm 145:9 – “The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.”
Mark 10:18 – “And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.”
Ephesians 5:9 – “(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),”
Acts 10:38 – “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Psalm 119:68 – “You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.“
Psalm 84:11 – “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
Group 5 – What The Bible Says About Goodness
Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
1 Timothy 4:4 – “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,”
Galatians 5:1-26 – “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. ...”
Romans 11:22 – “Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.“
Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...”
Group 6 – What The Bible Says About Goodness
1 Peter 2:3 – “If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Psalm 65:4 – “Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!”
Jeremiah 6:16 – Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”
Psalm 145:15-19 – “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.”
John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Goodness?
1 Timothy 2:9-10 – “Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.”
Psalm 37:3 – “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.”
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
1 Peter 3:13 – “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?”
Isaiah 5:20 – “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”
2 Peter 1:5-7 – “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.”
Psalm 100:5 – “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”
Romans 12:21 – “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Exodus 34:6 – The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,”
Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Goodness?
2 Corinthians 9:8 – “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”
2 Peter 1:5 – “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,”
2 Peter 1:3 – “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,”
Proverbs 19:22 – “What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.”
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Psalm 69:16 – “Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.”
Matthew 19:17 – And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”
2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”
Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Goodness?
Psalm 107:1 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Psalm 34:14 – “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
Luke 18:19 – And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.”
Psalm 52:1 – “To the choirmaster. A Maskil of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day.”
1 Corinthians 10:23 – “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
Psalm 145:17 – “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.”
Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Luke 6:36 – “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Matthew 5:15-16 – “Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Goodness?
Genesis 1:4 – “And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.”
Genesis 1:31 – “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”
Psalm 25:6-7 – “Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!“
Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Revelation 1:1-20 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. …”
Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Goodness?
2 Peter 1:1-21 – “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, …”
Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Goodness?
Matthew 7:11 – “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
Proverbs 2:9 – “Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path;”
2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Acts 2:38 – And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Titus 3:4 – “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,”
Group 13 – What Does The Bible Say About Goodness?
Isaiah 26:3 – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Titus 3:1-15 – “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, …”
Group 14 – What Does The Bible Say About Goodness?
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
1 Chronicles 16:11 – “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”
Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Psalm 119:172 – “My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.”
Colossians 3:12 – “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,”
Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Group 15 – What Does The Bible Say About Goodness?
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
1 Corinthians 10:131 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
James 4:8 – “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.“
Isaiah 40:31 – “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Group 16 – What Does The Bible Say About Goodness?
Hosea 3:5 – “Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.”
Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
2 Corinthians 9:10 – “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”
Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Group 17 – What Does The Bible Say About Goodness?
Luke 1:37 – “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Hosea 10:12 – “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.”
Psalm 107:1-43 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. …”
Group 18 – What Does The Bible Say About Goodness?
1 Peter 2:1-25 – “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. …”
Romans 5:8 – “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
