The Bible contains many stories and passages that showcase acts of goodness and righteousness. As Christians, we can look to these examples for inspiration and encouragement to lead lives of kindness, compassion, and moral virtue. In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore some of the most prominent demonstrations of goodness throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Introduction
The Bible serves as a guidebook for how to live a good and godly life. While we are all fallen creatures in need of grace and redemption, God calls us to strive towards righteousness. The many stories and teachings in Scripture showcase acts of goodness and provide wisdom on how to treat others with mercy, love, and respect.
Here are some key takeaways we will cover in this post:
- God’s goodness in creation and his provisions for humanity
- Acts of healing and service by Jesus and the early church
- Lives of righteous figures who demonstrated faith and virtue
- Teachings on forgiveness, charity, justice, and other virtues
- Promises of God’s ultimate restoration and redemption
By examining these examples of goodness, we can gain perspective on how to answer God’s call to live upright, compassionate, and moral lives. The Bible provides powerful inspiration to extend grace just as God has extended grace to us.
God’s Goodness in Creation
The opening chapters of Genesis reveal the goodness of God’s creation. After each day of creation, God saw that “it was good” (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, NKJV). The pinnacle of creation was humanity, formed in God’s own image as the crowning jewel of the natural world. God blessed the first humans and set them over creation, entrusting them with stewardship over the earth (Genesis 1:28-30). Even after humanity’s fall into sin, God continued to provide for their needs, clothing them when they were ashamed and vulnerable (Genesis 3:21).
Examples of God’s provision and care continue through the Old Testament. He promised to sustain his people Israel, delivering them into a land “flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). God provided bread from heaven and quail for sustenance in the wilderness (Exodus 16). His covenant with Israel ensured protection and abundant blessings for obedience. Meanwhile, God’s law given to Moses prescribed care for the vulnerable and oppressed within society.
The Psalms frequently praise God’s goodness. “You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing,” the psalmist declares (Psalm 145:16). Our creator generously provides for every creature, upholding the world he formed.
Healing Ministry of Jesus
The New Testament reveals the goodness and compassion of God through the life and ministry of Jesus. One prominent way Jesus demonstrated goodness was through acts of healing. Throughout the gospels, Jesus heals the sick, lame, blind, deaf, and demon-possessed, showcasing God’s mercy for afflicted individuals.
For example, in Mark 1:40-42 Jesus encounters a leper, who pleads “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus heals the man, restoring his health and dignity within society. In John 9, Jesus and his disciples encounter a man blind from birth. Rejecting the notion that his blindness resulted from sin, Jesus proclaims God’s purposes before healing the man. These miracles reveal God’s heart for the infirm and marginalized. Jesus also showed deep concern for people’s spiritual brokenness. He forgave sins and invited ostracized people like tax collectors and sinners to follow him.
Jesus instructed his disciples to heal sickness and brokenness as an expression of God’s kingdom. Empowered by Jesus, the apostles “went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them” (Mark 6:12-13). Christ’s healing works display God’s goodness and care for our needs.
Lives of the Righteous
In addition to Christ, the Bible contains many examples of righteous individuals who sought to obey God and walk in goodness. In the Old Testament, Noah stands out for his righteousness before God (Genesis 6:9). When all of humanity had become corrupt, Noah faithfully followed God’s instructions to build the ark and preserve life. His obedience led to salvation during the flood.
Later, at Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham’s nephew Lot demonstrated righteousness and hospitality when he sheltered two angels who came to overthrow the wicked cities. Lot persistently protected his angelic guests from the mob seeking to mistreat them, even offering his own daughters in their place (Genesis 19:1-11). Though living among rampant immorality, Lot maintained his integrity.
The book of Daniel features Hebrew young men like Daniel and his friends who remained loyal and faithful to God, even under pagan Babylonian rule. Daniel “distinguished himself above all the administrators and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him” (Daniel 6:3). When jealous schemers had Daniel thrown into a lions’ den, God miraculously protected him due to his extraordinary faith.
In the New Testament, righteous Simeon and Anna encountered the infant Christ when he was presented at the temple. They lived in deep devotion to God and showed remarkable faith in recognizing Jesus as the promised Messiah (Luke 2:25-38). Other righteous followers like Barnabas sacrificially supported the early church through generosity (Acts 4:36-37). The Bible calls him “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24).
These examples encourage us to pursue righteousness, godliness, and virtue even when surrounded by evil. God honors those who walk in faith like Noah, Daniel, Barnabas, and other biblical figures.
Teachings on Virtue
In his teachings, Jesus called his followers to embody righteousness, to go above and beyond outward obedience. The Sermon on the Mount outlines characteristics of goodness like meekness, mercy, purity, and peacemaking (Matthew 5:1-12). Other parables instruct us to show generosity, forgive unconditionally, and demonstrate compassion to those in need (Luke 10:25-37, 15:11-32, 18:9-14).
Paul’s letters provide additional instruction for living virtuously. “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience,” he urges (Colossians 3:12). To the Philippians he writes: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). Scriptural teachings help shape our character towards what is good.
The Bible extols virtues like:
- Love – seeking the good of others through empathy, affection, and self-sacrifice (1 Corinthians 13, John 13:34-35)
- Justice – defending the cause of the vulnerable and needy (Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8)
- Courage – persevering in the face of fear and uncertainty (Joshua 1:9, Daniel 3:16-18)
- Humility – regarding others as more significant than oneself (Philippians 2:3-4)
- Wisdom – applying God’s truth rightly and pursuing righteousness (Proverbs 1-3, James 3:13-18)
As we grow in faith, we are equipped to walk in greater integrity, virtue, and goodness by following biblical principles.
Promises of Redemption
Though humanity fell into sin, the Bible storyline culminates with the promise of full restoration and redemption. God covenanted with Israel for reconciliation, foretelling an anointed one who would atone for sin (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). Jesus fulfilled this prophecy, defeating sin through his sacrifice. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Those who place faith in Christ are redeemed and will experience everlasting goodness in God’s presence. The book of Revelation depicts a beautiful vision of this redemption: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). In the New Jerusalem, there will be no suffering, brokenness, or evil. God’s goodness and glory will reign perfectly for eternity. While we wait for this ultimate restoration, we can find hope in God’s promised redemption.
Conclusion
Throughout its pages, the Bible provides illuminating examples of righteousness, virtue, and goodness. God reveals his benevolent character through creation and covenants. Christ demonstrates compassionate concern for the hurting and oppressed. His followers shine as lights for truth and justice, even in difficult times. And the redemptive story arc culminates with the defeat of evil and the everlasting triumph of goodness and joy in God’s presence.
As modern readers, we can draw inspiration from these examples to lead lives that reflect God’s goodness. By following biblical principles, we can grow in love, courage, justice, wisdom, generosity, and other virtues. While the Christian life involves struggle and sacrifice, Scripture provides a vision of goodness that can help guide and motivate us, even in a fallen world. God calls us to righteousness so that our lives will mirror his gracious character. May we answer that call faithfully as we seek to walk in the goodness of Christ.
