Oh My Goodness!

Cultivating Goodness of Character

SYNOPSIS: Ultimately, you will be known for your goodness—before both the world and the Creator of the world. It will be your good character, not your great personality, that eternally defines you. Of course, I am not talking about your moral goodness saving you—only grace can do that. But your goodness matters. In the final analysis, it won’t be how gifted you were, how much you accomplished, how good-looking, how smart or rich or powerful you were; what matters to God and impacts a world is simply the external expression of the Biblical goodness God has worked in your life through Jesus Christ as it freely flows from the internal core of your Christian character.

Project 52—Memorize:
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.”

Ultimately, you will be known for your goodness—before both the world and the Creator of the world. It will be your good character, not your great personality, that eternally defines you. Of course, I am not talking about your moral goodness saving you—only grace can do that. But your goodness matters. In the final analysis, it won’t be how gifted you were, how much you accomplished, how good-looking, how smart or rich or powerful you were; what matters to God and impacts a world is simply the external expression of the Biblical goodness God has worked in your life through Jesus Christ as it freely flows from the internal core of your Christian character.

Goodness comes from the Greek word, agathos. It referred to a moral and spiritual excellence that was identified by its authentic gentleness and active kindness. Goodness is not moral and spiritual excellence alone; it is married to gentleness and kindness. Biblical goodness has to do with our character.  It is both internal—who we are, and external—what we do. We could just as easily substitute for goodness the word integrity: The outer expression of our inner core.

It is this kind of goodness—our integrity of character—that makes you living proof of a loving God to a lost world. As Paul says in Philippians 2:14-15, “Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night…”

So how can you cultivate integrity of character or Biblical goodness in your life?

To begin with, be firm in your commitments. Goodness begins with resolving in your heart that you will live by your values. Integrity of character doesn’t happen just because you can articulate a set of core values, you have to follow through by making a commitment that those values will drive both your private life and your public behavior.

Next, be as flawless in your work. Followers of Christ ought to be the most excellent workers in the work force—wherever your work is, at home, school or in the marketplace. Nothing harms the reputation of Christ like Christians who are chronically late, sloppy, cut corners, and produce an inferior product. Biblical goodness means you are doing your work as if Jesus were your boss or your client.

Then, be faultless in your behavior. Wouldn’t it be a badge of honor if the only criticism people could make about you is that you were a Christian? Someone once said, “if you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”  If you are criticized, let it be because of Christ in you.

Finally, be as fervent in your faith. Make sure your faith isn’t just a concept; make it a reality in your daily life. Make walking with God number one in your life, with everything else coming in a distant second. When you truly put God first in all that you do, being good and living a life of integrity will naturally, you might even say, supernaturally, follow.

That’s how you cultivate goodness of character: You make a decision, then you live it out in your work before the world and in your walk before God, and you passionately pursue Christ above all else.

Your goodness of character, fleshed out in the real world of your daily life, is the kind of example your world desperately needs. And your Father takes great delight in it, too!

“Every little action of the common day makes or unmakes character … what one has done in the secret chamber [will one day] cry aloud from the house-top.”  ~Oscar Wilde

Reflect and Apply: Firm commitments, excellence in your work, passionate pursuit of God—do any of those need to be shored up in your life?  I know Someone who said he would help if we asked.

Be Good And Do Good

Reflect:
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.”

Ultimately, you will be known for your goodness—before both the world and the Creator of the world. It will be your good character, not your great personality, that eternally defines you. Of course, I am not talking about your moral goodness saving you—only grace can do that. But your goodness matters. In the final analysis, it won’t be how gifted you were, how much you accomplished, how good-looking, how smart or rich or powerful you were; what matters to God and impacts a world is simply the external expression of the Biblical goodness God has worked in your life through Jesus Christ as it freely flows from the internal core of your Christian character.

Goodness comes from the Greek word, agathos. It referred to a moral and spiritual excellence that was identified by its authentic gentleness and active kindness. Goodness is not moral and spiritual excellence alone; it is married to gentleness and kindness. Biblical goodness has to do with our character. It is both internal—who we are, and external—what we do. We could just as easily substitute for goodness the word integrity: The outer expression of our inner core.

It is this kind of goodness—our integrity of character—that makes you living proof of a loving God to a lost world. As Paul says in Philippians 2:14-15, “Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night…”

So how can you cultivate integrity of character or Biblical goodness in your life?

To begin with, be firm in your commitments. Goodness begins with resolving in your heart that you will live by your values. Integrity of character doesn’t happen just because you can articulate a set of core values, you have to follow through by making a commitment that those values will drive both your private life and your public behavior.

Next, be as flawless in your work. Followers of Christ ought to be the most excellent workers in the work force—wherever your work is, at home, school or in the marketplace. Nothing harms the reputation of Christ like Christians who are chronically late, sloppy, cut corners, and produce an inferior product. Biblical goodness means you are doing your work as if Jesus were your boss or your client.

Then, be faultless in your behavior. Wouldn’t it be a badge of honor if the only criticism people could make about you is that you were a Christian? Someone once said, “if you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” If you are criticized, let it be because of Christ in you.

Finally, be as fervent in your faith. Make sure your faith isn’t just a concept; make it a reality in your daily life. Make walking with God number one in your life, with everything else coming in a distant second. When you truly put God first in all that you do, being good and living a life of integrity will naturally, you might even say, supernaturally, follow.

That’s how you cultivate goodness of character: You make a decision, then you live it out in your work before the world and in your walk before God, and you passionately pursue Christ above all else.

Your goodness of character, fleshed out in the real world of your daily life, is the kind of example your world desperately needs. And your Father takes great delight in it, too!

“Every little action of the common day makes or unmakes character … what one has done in the secret chamber [will one day] cry aloud from the house-top.” ~Oscar Wilde

Reflect and Apply: Firm commitments, excellence in your work, passionate pursuit of God—do any of those need to be shored up in your life? I know Someone who said he would help if we asked.