God Is A Good God

I could go on. I want to remind you, however, that the truly amazing fact is that God shows his goodness through His children¡Xyou and me! Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven" (Mt. 5:16 KJV). The Apostle Paul makes an astounding statement. He says, "¡Kthat God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, ¡K and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, AS THOUGH GOD DID BESEECH YOU BY US(my emphasis)¡Kbe ye reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:19,20 KJV). God is beseeching through you and me. "As though Christ Himself were here pleading with you, receive the love He offers you" (vs. 20, Living Bible).

On a very practical level for nearly 2,000 years Christians have endeavored to demonstrate God¡¦s goodness in the manner prescribed by Jesus. Christians have demonstrated the love of God by extending a compassionate hand of service to those who are suffering and needy. If people are hungry, Jesus calls us to feed them. If they are sick, we are to visit them (and send them doctors and nurses). If they are homeless, we are to provide shelter (Gary Haugen).

We demonstrate God¡¦s love¡Xgoodness--when we reach out to meet needs. It can be as simple as a visit. It can be as simple as giving a cup of cold water or buying a bag of groceries. There are hundreds of ways we can demonstrate the love¡Xand goodness¡Xof God. When we do, people come to know that God is a good God.

God is good through you.

God is good through me.

I am God¡¦s goodness to others.

You are God¡¦s goodness to others.

God is a good God because he has good people who are full of good works touching hurting lives in little deeds of kindness in an effort to alleviate pain and suffering. We are His hands extended . . .

Songwriter Audrey Meier wrote:

"O to be His hand extended

Reaching out to the oppressed.

Let me touch Him

Let me touch Jesus,

So that other¡¦s may know and be blessed"

Firefighters rushing into the burning WTC in NYC to rescue as many as possible were His hands extended.

Emergency personnel rushing to the same scene were His hands extended.

Ordinary people helping ordinary people in a hundred ordinary ways are His hands extended.

The generous donations of money and blood to the American Red Cross and other agencies are His hands extended.

Prayers for our leaders and for our nation are His hands extended.

Whatever you have done, words of hope, comfort and encouragement you have said are His hands extended.

Good is a good God. Do good for someone. God does.