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Convictions – Part 1

Last year, for the first time, I was asked by a reader what my belief was about the nature and person of Christ. I recognized I have never clearly articulated my assumptions and convictions. Now seems a good time to begin.
 
My first declaration is echoed throughout scripture, God is Good. Or as some like to say “God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.”
 
His essence and substance are good. God is completely and thoroughly good. Since His nature is sublimely good, everything He makes is good, for what is created is an extension of the Creator.
 
“God saw that it was good.” Some form of this expression is used six times in the first thirty-one verses of the Bible (verses 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25).  Chapter one of Genesis concludes, “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31) The Spirit moved Paul to declare, “everything created by God is good” (1 Timothy 4:4)
 
Only God is good. “Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.’” (Mark 10:18)
 
We are not. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. (Psalm 14:1-3)
 
His word is good and for our good. “The LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day.” (Deuteronomy 6:24)
 
God, the Spirit, being of the same nature and essence is also Good. “You gave your good Spirit to instruct them” (Nehemiah 9:20). “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” (Psalms 143:10)
 
God the Son does good. “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,” (Acts 10:38).
 
The Good News flows from the character and heart of God. “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;” (Isaiah 61:1)
 
Our good God causes ALL THINGS to work together for our good. “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) This knowledge is incredibly comforting.
 
Joseph found this to be true when speaking with his wayward brothers who had abandoned him and sold him into slavery. “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20 )
  
“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalms 34:8)
  
May we each experience His goodness in a fresh way,
Steve
 
There and Back Again
 
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