It is St. Patrick’s Day and I remember as a child wearing green or I would get a bruising pinch anywhere that a person could reach. As you can imagine after my first year of such attacks I would wear green no matter what. “Yet St. Patrick is the patron Saint of Ireland who was born in Wales about AD 385. In fact: he almost didn’t get the job of bishop of Ireland because he didn’t have the required scholarship. He feverishly worked to convert Ireland to Christianity.” From (Customs and Traditions article)
You can view a short and sweet article on this site: http://wilstar.com/holidays/patrick.htm

Definitely this man was filled with goodness even at the point he was arrested several times.

Now, the question is: Goodness has to shine in our lives when we share the Good News.

Our lives must be filled with goodness in order for someone to believe the good report of Jesus Christ. Unless our friends or even a stranger can see God’s goodness in us we are beating at the wind with words if actions don’t precede them. Sometimes we can’t share because we have stained our lives with the dirt of sin. How can you lead a sheep to pasture if the one leading is filthy? Makes you cringe when you examine your own heart. I surely don’t want to follow a leader of God unless goodness is part of his character. (I John 1:9 helps with cleansing your guilty stained heart)

Goodness is a virtue of a positive, reliable, sure, true, upright, and genuine life. When we as God’s people put on the masks of everyday life, sooner or later the real us will shine through. Goodness is that ongoing genuine life lived out in Jesus Christ. Goodness is sure of what we hope for. Goodness is reliable when the chips are down. Goodness is true to what Christ Jesus has taught us. Goodness is living a positive life no matter what the cost. Goodness is one who can be depended on when we are weak.

Jesus Christ was goodness for us. He is our positive hope, our reliable future, he is a nail in a sure place, he is true in his word, he resides at the Father’s right hand, and he led a pure and servant life here on earth. Jesus is all goodness and there is nothing compared to him.

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13
“For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty!” Zechariah 9:17a

*”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
(“For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Ephesians 5:9
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” Psalm 23:6

So let’s give our lives to Jesus Christ goodness and let him flow naturally to others so they will see that surely goodness and mercy follows us all the days of our lives.
And then they can see that they too can dwell in the house of the Lord forever as he has promised us.

Father, may your goodness always be a part of who I am. May I always claim your promises that reveal your goodness. Let not my works take the place of thy eternal fruit of goodness. May I give glory to you in all that I say and do. Wash me whiter than snow, cleanse me with hyssop, and most of all Lord fill me with more of you. I thank you that I will live in your house forever. In Jesus Name…Amen