15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Matthew 13:15-17 (NKJV).
God is good. And I don’t understand the ignorance of those critical of Him. People don’t know everything there is to know about this world and the universe. We can’t know what God knows in its entirety, and we may only know what He chooses to reveal to us. We do know that there are things more important than life or death on earth, and more important than temporary suffering in this life. A short-sighted man may try to say God is wrong. They don’t know the whole situation. It’d be similar to putting a young child in place of a judge over a complex legal case, it doesn’t make sense for someone without adequate knowledge of a situation to judge.
For example, in the life of Jesus Christ, the first thing we observe is He did no evil His entire life. Jesus Christ wronged no one, because He was perfect. [If you’re going to be good, you can’t be evil.] <— [[Being removed with your permission. A conundrum of the mind in context of scripture. It’s not incorrect because basically we’re intrinsically sinful and fallen in nature, and it’s by God’s grace for God’s glory through the lead of the Holy Spirit that we’re good. We’re depraved wretches saved by amazing grace. Unless you have a compelling, Biblically sound reason for keeping this line – it’s removed.]] Jesus was tempted and tried beyond any level a human being might even contemplate, and didn’t fail. Even with nails in his arms, hanging long hours on the cross, He allowed Himself to be subjected to an unfathomable sacrifice. He was, is, and always will be the perfect offering to God the Father in order to absolve us of our sins. Worthy is the Lamb of God, Who was slain for our sins.
In addition to doing no evil, Jesus did only good.
1) Jesus healed everyone who came to Him. Healing is a good thing to do to others. People who become doctors in this world, and heal everyone they can, are doing this world a great service. We need more doctors and researchers in this world. People who are sick and handicapped are thankful when someone can help them in their suffering. Jesus cured everyone of their conditions that came to him for help. This is what the King of Kings did, and still does in the modern era.
2) Jesus casts out demons. Mental health issues may or may not include components of demonic oppression. Believers cannot be demonically possessed. This distinction is critical, as not only is it crucial to ensure that mental health stigma’s aren’t blown out of proportion unnecessarily. Also to make sure that we have a proper understanding of the extent believers are properly protected from the influence of demonic influence. But there is a spiritual realm, and spiritual warfare is a reality. Jesus saved many people from their oppression to lead a life that brings Him glory afterward. We can pray for one another to keep our eyes on the things that matter.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV).
3) Jesus preached the salvation of our souls, and we know based on His Word that wise men win souls.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who wins souls is wise.
Proverbs 11:30 (NKJV).
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6 (NKJV).
In this way He is the Light of the world.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
James 1:17 (NKJV).
Through Jesus our sins are forgiven, and we should be good to all, loving even our enemies!
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48 (NKJV).
In addition to Jesus being good in this manner to its absolutely perfect extent, by teaching others, he spread love and goodness across the world until this day. Encouraging people and giving them hope is a key component of what we’re called to do. The chief component’s being to love God, and love people, of which all the other critical components stem.
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:37-43 (NKJV).
God is a compassionate God. He cares for us to be intimately engaged with the details of our life, and He has in store for those who love Him more than we can think or imagine,
9 But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV).
He cares about everything from the small details to the large aspects of our life. In fact he cares so much for us that he won’t let us acquire we think we want in place of what we merely think is best, but is ultimately bad for us. God listens to all our prayers, that doesn’t mean He is obliged to pander to our whims. He can give an answer of yes, no, or wait at His discretion. He’s our friend in time of need, and in time of happiness. God cares for us so much, I know that means He is infinitely good and loving, because even the smallest sin is of infinite offense in the eyes of the Almighty. We have all fallen short of the glory of God. While sins may measure up differently, even the most minuscule sin is worthy of being repented from.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 (NKJV).
Some people might inquire,”What about the Old Testament?” And I would respond,”What of it?”
Due to the aforementioned lines of thinking, as they pertain to the nature of a perfect God, Who isn’t merely compartmentalized in a box. A more meticulous theologian might point to everything God does, and explain how things are ultimately done in love due to the context of the situation. I do not have a traditional theological degree to understand all the nuances, but I am lifelong learner. What I do is present persuasive arguments based on God’s Word, and let God take care of the rest. If the Old Testament needed to happen for us to have Eternal Life, then people’s individual lives here on earth are of paramount importance. Despite the temporal nature of life as we know it here on earth, what we do on earth does have eternal ramifications. Our salvation is eternally secure, and is not based on works. So even our salvation is not based on our own merit, but on God’s grace through faith in His Son Jesus Christ, who paid the highest price ever paid on our behalf. The propitiation (satisfaction of God’s wrath) was achieved, and His sacrifice was pleasing and acceptable to God the Father. We know that it was because Jesus Christ was resurrected from the grave, and all components of His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension are critical for us to remember. Yet we need not over-complicate the message of the Gospel, which is simple enough for a child to embrace, and is perhaps most succinctly put in Romans 10:9.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV).
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9 (NKJV).
If the Old Testament didn’t happen as God guiding it, the path to Eternal Life might not have been opened, and good might not have won. In this regard, just as a painful doctor’s remedy might cure us, we’re still thankful there was a cure at all.
To recap.
God is good. Everything he does points to him being good. God also never changes. Since God doesn’t change, he’ll be good forever. A good and altruistic leader is the only one worthy to rule. God will be forever good and care for us for all time. Amen.
God bless.