Is God Good or is He Great?

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God is both Good and Great

In the Bible, God’s Word, He reveals to us that He is both good and great. Yet some would say “Hey brother, God is GREAT, not just good!” True, yet there is a difference between GOOD and GREAT. The LORD is both GREAT and GOOD. Meditate on this beloved of God. Great has to do with divine omnipotence (all-powerful) while goodness speaks of the divine disposition toward His creation, namely mankind which He created in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27). When the LORD informs us that His nature is “good,” He’s conveying that His intentions, His desires toward us are not to do us evil but rather to do us good!!!! His disposition toward His people is goodness.

“For thou, Lord, art GOOD, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. … But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalms 86:5, 15

The divine intent towards His people was expressed to us by the Holy Spirit via the prophet Jeremiah:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

Jesus Christ is “the GREAT Shepherd of the sheep” for whom He died:

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,” Hebrews 13:20

This redemption truth expresses just how GREAT God’s GOODNESS is to us!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17

No greater greater love, kindness, and goodness could ever be expressed than that which was displayed by our heavenly Father when He crucified on Calvary’s cruel cross His only begotten Son for the sins of the whole world.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16-17

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

He Found Us in Our Sin and Saved Us to Himself by His Sheer Mercy and the Blood of His Only Begotten Son

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth (displayed) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Romans 5:6-9

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7

Repeatedly the LORD tells His people that He is good and that His desire is “to do you good.”

“And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, …” Deuteronomy 28:63

Is God really good “all the time”? Yes, even and perhaps especially when He’s convicting, purging, chastening, and rebuking you.

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19

It’s important for us to see God for who He really is – GOOD. The LORD reflects back to us as we choose to see Him (Numbers 13-14; Psalms 18:24-26).

God is not only GOOD and GREAT, He is also HOLY and JUST and will punish for eternity (in hell) those who behold His GOODNESS and don’t obey Him. Hear this severe warning. Using the example of His judgment on the Jews, the LORD warns us Gentiles to fear and obey Him lest we also be “cut off” (judged):

“Well; because of unbelief they (the Jews) were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches (Jews), take heed lest he also spare not thee (Gentile believer). 22 Behold therefore the GOODNESS and SEVERITY of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, IFFFF thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:20-22

FEEDBACK:

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“I read the new post titled ‘Is God Good or is He Great?’ So good. Love Ps. 86:5 & 15! Like the statement too, of Him showing us how GREAT is His GOODNESS. And that Scripture calls Jesus the GREAT shepherd. Thanks for pointing that out. Hadn’t paid attention to that adjective — will now! Will be looking for it throughout the Word.” Debbie Lord

REPLY:

Ahhhhh yes amen.

This type stuff which simply underscores what GOD says in His Word of Himself (divine attributes)…. This is what greatly enhances our reading of Scripture from that point on….. Things begin to come together in our understanding. Jesus is so GREAT and GOOD!

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“By the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalms 17:4

PWT = Preach, WARN, Teach

“Whom we PREACH, WARNING every man, and TEACHING every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” Colossians 1:28

Did you catch what the apostle Paul did to prepare the church to meet Christ?

Preach
WARN
Teach

Lynne Parker writes:

“I truly believe Christians will be tried by the Word in this hour. There is no more riding the fence or taking a neutral position. God Himself will place us all in a position to stand or fall according to the Word. “Deception” and its sister “delusion” are gripping the Body of Christ – like a dark cloud it is covering the land. The false dominion (NAR) theology and signs and wonders movement has effectively conditioned multitudes to forsake the authority of God’s Word and embrace their subjective feelings as guidance in discernment concerns. But in these latter days only those who divorce their feelings and trust only in God’s Word and have developed a love for the truth will overcome the devil’s schemes. Sadly many will be lost – it’s unfolding right before us.”

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JESUS IS COMING AND THE TRUE BODY OF CHRIST IS “HOLDING FORTH (BOLDLY DECLARING) THE WORD OF LIFE”

“Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:16

WHEN you speak God’s Word, you are speaking divine authority.

“These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:15

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 1:6

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

Nourishing the Body of Christ

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6

“All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15

The best way to learn is to teach.

HOW well do you know your way around in God’s Word?

Jesus knew His way around God’s Word. Do you? If not, why not?

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he FOUND the place where it was written,” Luke 4:17

The disciple of Christ must daily and diligently search, study, and learn God’s Word in light of His Great Commission command to us to teach His Word to others (Matthew 28:18-20). Our ability to minister is in large part based on our knowledge of God’s Word or the ability to navigate God’s Word (King James Bible).

MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – OBEY GOD, “PREACH THE WORD.” (2 TIMOTHY 4:2)

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Have you ever pondered why there is little or no Scripture being used when listening to someone pretending to be speaking about the LORD? You should wonder (Matthew 7:16, 20; 1 John 4:1).

“Preach the word” is the divine mandate, command (2 Timothy 4:2).

Let us cease to pretend that we represent the LORD when everything we say isn’t coming straight out of His Word. Read that again please.

“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles (written Word) of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11

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