Food for the Way: Goodness
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, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (Titus 3:1–8)
Goodness and kindness are inextricably linked together and yet the Bible makes clear that there is nuance and distinction between the two. Kindness is a disposition of care and love towards another. Goodness is kindness in action; goodness is seen in directed deeds to promote happiness and flourishing in others. We ought to BE kind and DO good.
All good begins with God himself, for God is good. “God is good” was the slogan and refrain of the Israelites and now becomes our refrain. God is good and from his goodness he acts, he gives. This is seen in the first words of the Bible at creation when God makes all things and sees “it was good… it was good… it was good… it was good… it was good… it was good… it was very good.” The world was made from goodness and for goodness.
The action of goodness is most clearly seen in Jesus, just as Paul writes to Titus, “when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us.” Out of the love, kindness and goodness of Jesus, he moved towards us to save us. His goodness is not static but the dynamic work of transformation.
Yet here is the mystery: Paul continues and says that the manifestation of our salvation is our good works, our kindness in action. The idea of good works can sometimes feel legalistic or like our proving ground to earn God’s favor. But the Bible is clear that good works do not earn us God’s love; they are evidence of God’s grace in us. God has recreated and renewed us in Christ “for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Goodness is the stuff of life God has given us to do.
The goodness that the Spirit gives to us is not flashy or ostentatious. It is simple, ordinary, and mundane. Here is where the image of an apple helps us imagine the beauty and the power of goodness. An apple is not an exotic or glamorous fruit but it is wholesome and good. In fact, apples are some of the first solid foods children eat because of their simple goodness.
And yet, while goodness may be simple and wholesome, it is not easy. Paul’s words to the Galatians “let us not grow weary of doing good” (Galatians 6:9) highlight that doing good can be exhausting. It often seems that we can grind through heroic tasks, but the ordinary, mundane, day-in-day-out tasks can cause the most fatigue. Goodness is manifest in these sometimes small moments that make up a life at home, at work, and in the world.
And isn’t that how Jesus lived and what he did? His ministry was built upon kindness and goodness in the lives of ordinary people. A word, a touch, a question—these simple acts of goodness revealed the deep goodness of God. So, too, it is with us. Our goodness, our kindness in action towards others, is rooted in the goodness of God whose steadfast love endures forever.
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CONSIDER
In Romans 12:9-21, Paul tells us to “hold fast to what is good.” What does that mean for your life?
What parts of life make you feel “weary of doing good”? How can we encourage each other to remain faithful in doing good?
How is goodness meant to be given away? What keeps us from doing that?
How does sharing goodness help us experience joy, awe, wonder, generosity?
Reflect Further
2 Samuel 9:1-13 tells the story of King David’s acts of goodness towards Mephibosheth, the crippled son of his best friend Jonathan. How does this story demonstrate the simplicity and power of goodness?
Artwork by Tess Miller. Additional design by Rachel Lee.
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