Adding GOODNESS to Your Faith

The first quality that the Apostle Peter said that we should add to our faith is “goodness.” What exactly is “goodness”? The NIV Study Bible defines “goodness” as “excellence expressed in deeds – virtue in action.” God’s goodness is connected in Scripture with his glory: “Our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). When Moses requested, “Show me your glory,” the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass by in front of you, and I will proclaim my name… I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Exodus 33:18-19). God’s glory and his goodness is shown to us by his acts of mercy. People also demonstrate their goodness through acts of love. How would you know if a person were good unless it were shown through deeds. “Goodness” really is virtue in action. Mother Teresa’s work with the poor and needy in India was an excellent example of what goodness consists of.

Secondly, who possesses this quality? The Apostle Paul, writing to the Ephesians, stated, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)” (Eph 5:8-9). The contrast is drawn by Paul between the “light” and “darkness.” Children of light used to be part of the darkness (sin) but now are to demonstrate the fruit of light which is “goodness.” Instead of “being as bad as we can be” (i.e., Dennis Rodman), Believers are to shine as children of light by depicting “goodness.” Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Thirdly, we might ask, where does the goodness come from that people of faith are supposed to share? Paul answers this by saying that goodness is a fruit or by-product of the Holy Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galations 5:22-23). Christian character and these virtues are produced by the Holy Spirit. People cannot make these virtues part of their lives without the Spirit being present. If we “live by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit,” (verse 25) goodness will be part of our faith.

Fourthly, how much “goodness” is enough? Paul wrote of the Christians in Rome, “I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another” (Romans 15:14). Can others say of us that we are full of goodness, or do we have some room to grow? Remember that Peter said that we should possess this quality “in increasing measure” (2 Peter 1:8). Jesus Christ was and is known for his goodness. He showed this through his many acts of love to those who were sick and afflicted, hungry and needy. His death on the cross for the sins of the world provided the way for forgiveness of sins. As his followers we should portray goodness – “virtue in action” – along with our spoken witness.

The Church & Missions

The first missionary journey originated at Antioch. Luke describes how it came about in Acts 13: "In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off" (vs. 1-3). 

Let us look at this account through the eyes of a reporter. We will attempt to answer who, how, where, what and why. First of all, who was involved? The names of five men are given -- three are people we know little of and there was also Barnabas and Saul. Together these men were the Church's preachers and teachers. Note that the most experienced were called and sent.

Secondly, how did the first missionary trip come about? During a worship service, they were directed by the Holy Spirit to go. The Lord Jesus Christ had given the Great Commission to his disciples. Now the Spirit was prompting the Church into action. The Church, after praying and fasting, ordained and released them to this new service. 

Thirdly, where did they go? The missionaries first departed to the Island of Cyprus (in the Eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea). In Acts 4:36 we are told that Cyprus was the home of Barnabas. A natural place for anyone to begin sharing the Gospel is his home or former home. The missionaries arrived on the eastern end of the island and traveled across the whole island to the western side. They went from one large city, Salamis, to the capital city of Paphos. They spoke in synagogues (places of worship and instruction) and in the center of government. 

Fourthly, what did they do? Barnabas and Paul "proclaimed the Word of God." Our message today is the same that they preached. Whether they were speaking in a Jewish synagogue or before the Proconsul (Government), they presented "the Word of God." When they were doing this, they encountered opposition from a Jewish sorcerer who was an attendant to the Proconsul. The Apostle Paul spoke very directly to the sorcerer and he became temporarily blinded (see vs. 9-11). It is interesting that something similar had occurred to Saul himself on the road to Damascus. Saul, of course, became a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, but nothing is recorded of Elymas, the sorcerer, beyond the blinding. When the Proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching of the Lord (v. 12).

Lastly, we might ask why the missionaries went on this trip. Why did they leave an established church that was experiencing rapid growth to go somewhere with no churches at all? They were called and sent for that precise reason -- so that those who had never heard would have the opportunity to respond to the Gospel. The message of salvation from self and sin unto eternal life is for all people. (See Matt. 28:19 & 20; Mark 16:15). Those who have heard are obligated to those who have never heard (see Romans 1:14). Some are called to go and others should send them with prayer and financial support.