- “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2.4 - ASV).
The ninth foundation is “goodness”. Once goodness leads to repentance, which is one of the foundations of those who are in Christ, consequently goodness is a foundation too.
Furthermore, look at this:
- “(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),” (Ephesiasn 5.9).
Note that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is found inside all goodness, and without fruit no one may glorify the Father (John 15.8).
Not to mention that Jesus is our truthful goodness:
- “He is my goodness and my fortress; my high tower and my deliverer; my shield and He in whom I trust; who humbles my people under me.“ (Psalms 144.2).
By our “goodness” we are just unprofitable servants (Luke 17.9; Romans 13.9).
Who reject the goodness of Jesus is incapable of repentance (and, of course, of being saved) inasmuch as such people overestimate themselves. This means to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, given that they are regarding someone or something as Himself.
And when people don’t delight in the goodness of Jesus, one of two things:
Either they try to be the own Jesus (try to be so good as Him, instead of being full of His goodness and being an instrument to His manifestation);
Or they try to convince themselves and others that their object of worship (whether it is something or somebody) is the own Jesus.
When this takes place, the forgiveness doesn’t have room to work, seeing that they are reclused in their own concept and value of goodness. They think as the Israelites:
- “Yet you say, The way of Jehovah is not fair. Hear now, O house of Israel: Is not My way fair? Are your ways not unfair?” (Ezekiel 18.25);
- “Yet says the house of Israel: The way of Jehovah is not fair. O house of Israel, are not My ways fair? Are not your ways unfair?” (Ezekiel 18.29).
So, let’s take pleasure in the goodness of Jesus and enjoy an graced week in Him.