How do we know God is good

[umzza]

Like what if he is bad like in the avengers movie where Thanos is bad and has all this power. How do we know God is good?

 

[Magenta]

Hello Umzza. I hope you are well This is an interesting question. I take it you are not asking for the rhetorical purpose of informing others how we know, but because you want to know for yourself. To that end, I would suggest you sincerely seek God. We could tell you to read the Bible and believe Jesus when He said, "No one is good except God alone." However, I know that reading the Bible is not the only reason or "thing" that moves people to belief. It certainly was not enough for me. Anyone who has had the experience of the Holy Spirit of God moving in their life, recounts it as a positive, loving, life-affirming encounter. We know God is good through personal empirical experience of Him. We know His love for us because we experience it. Some come to believe based on these personal encounters, and coming to believe, we then accept what the Bible says as true.

God promised to reveal Himself to those who seek Him. Seek!

This may help. I hope it does

 

[Locoponydirtman]

I guess if a person questions as to whether God is indeed good, he will also question the claims made in the book inspired by his Spirit. So out side of the numerous claims in the text of the Bible, one would have to incline toward reason.
How do we know God is good? If we see the statutes of God as it's written and we see the damage done to humanity by the failure of man to adhere to those statutes then it is clear that God established those statutes for the good of man.
Example God warns against fornication and adultry, if you see the harm done to humanity done by these things such as STDs, children born out of wedlock and what the statistics bear out about those children, including poverty rates and the probability of children from single parent homes ending up in prison. It's not hard to see that the things God has set for us is good for us and thus the empirical evidence shows God to be good indeed.
There is foremost a greater evidence that he sent his son God manifest in the flesh to satisfy the required Justice in physical death, for our crimes on our behalf; that we can be reinstated to his good graces and have eternal life in fellowship with Not only Christ Jesus himself but also the Father and his Spirit forever. This all sound very Good to me, so count me in on the God is good band wagon.

 

[noblenut]

we know God is good by what he has created, have u ever seen a rosella, a beautiful sunset and stars too numerous to count, also he provides for all our needs whether it is work, food or the very air we breath.

 

[rodders2828]

I don't think pointing to nature is much of an answer to the question. Nature is beautiful to an observer, but a closer view you can see all animals (and plants) life is a constant struggle. As well as being magnificent and fascinating, it is equally cruel and brutal.

For me, reading the bible is the best way to get to know God. To hear his judgments, his reasonings, his expectations and disappointments (of others, not himself). There you can see he is most holy and pure, and righteous. He is exceedingly long suffering, merciful, and forgives time and time again. His laws are all about fairness, looking after the poor and disadvantaged, criticising greed and selfishness, 'love they neighbour as thyself' - how can this be anything other than good?

And while some of God's actions may seem harsh or unfair by our standards, we also need to remember that this life is only a passing phase. It may not be always obvious, but there is a war going on between God and Satan, and some things are kept from us for our benefit, and only once it is all complete will we see the full picture.

God has a grand plan and we are in the middle of that journey. Satan by his pride and desire for worship has corrupted the heavens, and through Adam as his weapon Satan has corrupted earth as well. By God's perfect law, the punishment for a fallen being is death, but through his mercy and love, he has gone out of his way to make remedy for all of this calamity by sacrificing his son to bear all that sin. God's grand plan to undo the mess Satan has created. Sure it takes a long time, but it will all work out in the end. That is his promise.
So how is all this not the ultimate display of love and goodness?

So we need to see the character he has shown us, and trust him on the bits we don't understand, that it will all be alright in the end.

I hope this helps.

 

[Lanolin]

Cos GOd sent Jesus, and yes Jesus has power, but he doesnt kill anyone like thanos. Instead he heals and forgives and makes the blind see, the lame walk and the deaf hear. And Jesus died for our sins on the cross and rose again. He was selfless. Jesus only does what His Father God told him to do. To show His glory and to save us from sin and condemnation.

Thanos as far as I know doesnt do this.

 

[Father123]

Like what if he is bad like in the avengers movie where Thanos is bad and has all this power. How do we know God is good?

Look-breath-love-laugh-run-sleep-eat -hug
You’re surrounded w/ His goodness

 

[garee]

Hello Umzza. I hope you are well This is an interesting question. I take it you are not asking for the rhetorical purpose of informing others how we know, but because you want to know for yourself. To that end, I would suggest you sincerely seek God. We could tell you to read the Bible and believe Jesus when He said, "No one is good except God alone." However, I know that reading the Bible is not the only reason or "thing" that moves people to belief. It certainly was not enough for me. Anyone who has had the experience of the Holy Spirit of God moving in their life, recounts it as a positive, loving, life-affirming encounter. We know God is good through personal empirical experience of Him. We know His love for us because we experience it. Some come to believe based on these personal encounters, and coming to believe, we then accept what the Bible says as true.

God promised to reveal Himself to those who seek Him. Seek!

This may help. I hope it does

I would offer what I will call the law of interpretation according to the phrase; "as it is written" is the one source of Christian faith. Out of it we have our personal experiences ... but they never become the validation of the spiritual unseen. Jesu proved that when he began his ministry in Mathew 4. Three times to establish the law of interpretation he said: it is written .The other experience maker went away (strike three yer out) )

It is like when you shared what Jesus said, "No one is good except God. Jesus as the Son of man refused to stand in the holy unseen place of God. But rather said only God not seen is good . reaffirming what had been revealed in the beginning.

Eternal God not seen is defined by the word good

After every work of His faithfullness to have things appear that were not made from those that do appear .He would sign the work. His signature would say it was good .

One is our father in heaven we are to call no man father on earth . One is good, in heaven call no man on earth good

 

[he-rat_of_the_circus-mice]

Like what if he is bad like in the avengers movie where Thanos is bad and has all this power. How do we know God is good?

This is an important, but also dangerous question. Important in that we need to answer this question to understand God. But dangerous in that if we come to the conclusion that God is not good, we cannot be saved. I believe this is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit Jesus warned the Pharisees about - He said this, because they accused Jesus of having an evil spirit - essentially, doing His works by the power of the evil one.

If God is evil, do you think He would give us the great mercies He gives us? Despite all our pains and problems, we still live reasonably comfortable lives. Even when dying, our suffering is made easier than it could be. If God were evil, I believe our suffering would be much greater, and our hope would be much less. Our world is inconsistent with an evil, omnipotent God.

To me, it is consistent with either a good God with limited power (at war with some other evil god with limited power), or an omnipotent God who wills that we suffer to some degree, but not as great a degree as we could suffer. I find the latter explanation to be consistent with scripture - God demanding death for us because of the sin of Adam, but providing eternal life to all those who believe in His Son, through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Ultimately, belief in the goodness of God requires faith. But I also believe that the understanding the goodness of God does not require blind faith.

 

[CharliRenee]

Tastse God and see that He is good, and cast down any imagination that sets itself against the word of God.

I understand wanting to understand but we must not spend time doubting Him or His authority, that is only going to send you down the rabbit hole of confusion and despair. Think on that which is lovely and pure, good and true...think on His His goodness. Hugs umzzza, hope your are smiling today. May the goodness of God bless you today and everyday.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

We know God is good based on his sacrifice on the cross.

 

[FollowHisSteps]

Like what if he is bad like in the avengers movie where Thanos is bad and has all this power. How do we know God is good?

God is the creator, God is the author of love, of care, of protection, of righteousness, of protection and
support. He made a world so that love can triumph over death and hatred. He did not force this on
anything but gives the choices to all to sow to what they desire and reap the result.

This is beyond a benevolent dictator, into love is the essence of all that is of God and all that is good.
In a real sense love does not exist outside God and who He is.

The cross is the ultimate expression of the creator of all, in His vastness and knowledge, sending His
word in human form, Jesus, to walk with us, and show us the way, through torture and torment to
forgive and give a light, an open door, the eternal in a fallen mortal lost world, so that we might be
like Him, to enjoy one with another, the King of Kings, the Lord of glory, the Highest who stooped to
the lowest, and as invited us in. I know of no better description of perfect goodness and love, beyond
anything we could even think of, let alone do, so staggering, the more I know, the more I bow in
humble worship of who God is, forever and ever, Amen.

 

[CharliRenee]

Your steadfast love, O Lord , extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord . How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
Psalms 36:5‭-‬10

 

[garee]

umzza said: Like what if he is bad like in the avengers movie where Thanos is bad and has all this power. How do we know God is good?

By abiding in the things he alone calls good. Like his Holy unseen glory .It is good. Comparing its script, as it is written to the same. Not the Hollywood script. it has its place.. Superman 's my guy.

Something the Son of man refused to stand in. Jesus refused to stand in the Holy place, the abomination of desecration .He said only God not seen is good . Good defines our invisible God.

He separates the two (good and evil) as (day and night).

 

[GracethroughfaithinChrist]

"He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

Psalm 145:9
The LORD is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.

 

[PS]

We know God is Good because Jesus was most excellent in every way.

As Jesus said to the Pharisees, "If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” (Joh 8:19 ESV)

 

[dcontroversal]

I don't think pointing to nature is much of an answer to the question. Nature is beautiful to an observer, but a closer view you can see all animals (and plants) life is a constant struggle. As well as being magnificent and fascinating, it is equally cruel and brutal.

For me, reading the bible is the best way to get to know God. To hear his judgments, his reasonings, his expectations and disappointments (of others, not himself). There you can see he is most holy and pure, and righteous. He is exceedingly long suffering, merciful, and forgives time and time again. His laws are all about fairness, looking after the poor and disadvantaged, criticising greed and selfishness, 'love they neighbour as thyself' - how can this be anything other than good?

And while some of God's actions may seem harsh or unfair by our standards, we also need to remember that this life is only a passing phase. It may not be always obvious, but there is a war going on between God and Satan, and some things are kept from us for our benefit, and only once it is all complete will we see the full picture.

God has a grand plan and we are in the middle of that journey. Satan by his pride and desire for worship has corrupted the heavens, and through Adam as his weapon Satan has corrupted earth as well. By God's perfect law, the punishment for a fallen being is death, but through his mercy and love, he has gone out of his way to make remedy for all of this calamity by sacrificing his son to bear all that sin. God's grand plan to undo the mess Satan has created. Sure it takes a long time, but it will all work out in the end. That is his promise.
So how is all this not the ultimate display of love and goodness?

So we need to see the character he has shown us, and trust him on the bits we don't understand, that it will all be alright in the end.

I hope this helps.

I just want to remind you that creation testifies of GOD....Day unto day and NIGHT unto night speaks in every known language......even the invisible testifies of God's power, God head.........Nature indeed groans while awaiting the adoption......but for sure the goodness of God can be seen in the provision he has afforded nature and the things God speaks to.....such as not ONE sparrow falling to the ground that he does not know about, providing for the ravens etc.......

 

[theanointedwinner]

All good things come from God - James 1:17

Highlight and be blessed

And in Genesis, God created the heaven and the Earth and saw that it was good

And my auto-correct sometime change the word God as "good", lol

 

[Father123]

I don't think pointing to nature is much of an answer to the question. Nature is beautiful to an observer, but a closer view you can see all animals (and plants) life is a constant struggle. As well as being magnificent and fascinating, it is equally cruel and brutal.

For me, reading the bible is the best way to get to know God. To hear his judgments, his reasonings, his expectations and disappointments (of others, not himself). There you can see he is most holy and pure, and righteous. He is exceedingly long suffering, merciful, and forgives time and time again. His laws are all about fairness, looking after the poor and disadvantaged, criticising greed and selfishness, 'love they neighbour as thyself' - how can this be anything other than good?

And while some of God's actions may seem harsh or unfair by our standards, we also need to remember that this life is only a passing phase. It may not be always obvious, but there is a war going on between God and Satan, and some things are kept from us for our benefit, and only once it is all complete will we see the full picture.

God has a grand plan and we are in the middle of that journey. Satan by his pride and desire for worship has corrupted the heavens, and through Adam as his weapon Satan has corrupted earth as well. By God's perfect law, the punishment for a fallen being is death, but through his mercy and love, he has gone out of his way to make remedy for all of this calamity by sacrificing his son to bear all that sin. God's grand plan to undo the mess Satan has created. Sure it takes a long time, but it will all work out in the end. That is his promise.
So how is all this not the ultimate display of love and goodness?

So we need to see the character he has shown us, and trust him on the bits we don't understand, that it will all be alright in the end.

I hope this helps.

God instructed Job to look at nature. The creatures of His design. The wonders of the cosmos. The author of this thread is either blind or has ulterior motives to ask this.
In Colossians Christ is said to be the author of this marvelous creation. He is the master behind the masterpiece. This only scratches the surface of what we can see and experience daily without any theological guide. Come on. The gift of life alone comes from His goodness.
Where is the disconnect?

 

[Bingo]

Hello Umzza. I hope you are well This is an interesting question. I take it you are not asking for the rhetorical purpose of informing others how we know, but because you want to know for yourself. To that end, I would suggest you sincerely seek God. We could tell you to read the Bible and believe Jesus when He said, "No one is good except God alone." However, I know that reading the Bible is not the only reason or "thing" that moves people to belief. It certainly was not enough for me. Anyone who has had the experience of the Holy Spirit of God moving in their life, recounts it as a positive, loving, life-affirming encounter. We know God is good through personal empirical experience of Him. We know His love for us because we experience it. Some come to believe based on these personal encounters, and coming to believe, we then accept what the Bible says as true.

God promised to reveal Himself to those who seek Him. Seek!

This may help. I hope it does

"Amen"...........( 'Anyone who has had the experience of the Holy Spirit of God moving in their life' )
"A profound truth that many know not of...it has to be LIVED!
Thank you Megenta for being you!..........
'Praise God'