Goodness: A Question of Virtue
Integrity, honesty, virtue – these attributes reflect the nature of a good person. However, is there really such a thing as a “good” person? If such a person does a bad thing or makes a mistake like everyone does, does that make them a bad person? With the growing popularity of self-help books, the standard appears to be that if it feels good, then it’s acceptable. However, this can change when considering many viewpoints. So, how do we demonstrate goodness?
There is a standard where human nature will always fall short – God’s standard. Romans 3:23-24 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (NIV). The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans to the church in Rome, to people in need of hope.
Paul discusses the goodness of God with Jewish believers in chapter three of the book. Despite humanity’s shortcomings, God’s faithfulness prevails. Our failings do not increase God’s righteousness as Paul writes, “Why not say – as some slanderously claim that we say – ‘Let us do evil that good may result’? Their condemnation is just!”(v. 8). No one can be made right by themselves; we are made right with God through the sacrifice of Christ.
The next section of the chapter explains how everyone falls because of the power of sin. Everyone will be held accountable to God. It is through grace that we, those who believe in Jesus, are made right. Paul states, “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood, to be received by faith” (v. 25). It is through faith in Jesus that anyone is considered good, and faith comes when the Holy Spirit empowers us.
In addition to Romans, Paul wrote the book of Galatians. Chapter five describes, “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” (v. 22-23).
God is good, all the time. An individual who believes in Jesus as the Son of God can have a relationship with him through faith. Put off the burden of perfectionism and place your worth in the one who created you. You are seen by the one who saw the beginning of it all – he loves you completely.
The mission of Echoing Hills is to reflect the goodness of Christ, along with the other fruit of the Spirit. We humbly acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes, but we strive to provide excellent service to the individuals in our care.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203&version=NIV
