Goodness Defined

How can we know what is "good" without some concept of what is not good? And who or what draws the line between what is considered "good" and "not good"? Is goodness fixed, or flexible?

For the world who lives outside of the absolute truth of God, these questions can be daunting. What one person, generation, culture, or nation considers to be good and acceptable, might be considered detestable to the next. Without an absolute and unified understanding of goodness, it makes sense that we live in a very divided world with differing moral compasses and definitions of what is right and wrong. And if we are honest, these fluid definitions of "good" offered by the world are quite exhausting to try and keep up with.

For the Christian who believes in God the Creator, however, there is one standard of goodness that does not shift or bend to the trends of culture. This standard is dependable, trustworthy, and perfectly stands against the ever changing movements of humanity. Our standard is God and God alone, for "no one is good except for God" (Mark 10:18). 

In God, goodness is fixed, clearly defined, and is encompassed by the very nature and standards of the Creator Himself. The world would be 100% cured of all that is not good, if only it were to align itself with the Source of good.

When Paul lists "goodness" as a fruit of God's Spirit in Galatians 5, He is not referring to the worldly goodness that shifts. Instead, he is referring to divine goodness that is higher than this world. For "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17).

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