What is Good?

How would you define "good"? We usually associate that word with enjoyment, comfort, pleasure, purpose. Good things bring joy and happiness. Good tends to center on self—what you call good might not be good in my eyes. Or I might enjoy things and activities that you do not enjoy.

When we see others suffering with ill health, loneliness, insufficient finances, etc., we Christians tend to use Romans 8:28 as a one-size-fits-all verse of encouragement: For those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

But the truth is that the discouraged may become more discouraged when things don't seem to be working out for their good, when problems seem to be multiplying rather than decreasing, when everything looks bleak. They begin to wonder, "Don't I love God enough? Does He have no purpose for me? Has God forsaken me?"

The problem lies in our definition of "good". We can never take Scripture out of context. If you read that portion of Scripture in its entirety, you will discover that God's definition of "good" differs from ours.

Let's begin with Romans 8:18: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Let me rephrase that: When we think about the glory of eternity, our present sufferings are nothing! There is no comparison!

Next, we begin to understand God's definition in verse 29: For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son... Predestined to what? To be more like God's Son, Jesus Christ.

What will it take to transform us into the image of Christ? Granted, this is a lifelong process. Even the apostle Paul said, Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own... I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12, 14).

And the writer of Hebrews urges us to lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (12:1b-2).

We become conformed to the image of Christ by looking at His example through the study of Scripture, by learning to think more and more as He would think. Remember the old saying, "What would Jesus do?" It still applies.

Another necessary component of becoming more like our Savior is prayer: Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2).

So the next time you are about to despair because of your circumstances, ask yourself how you might become more like your Savior because of your situation. Find Scripture verses that change your perspective. Spend time talking to God. Share your feelings with Him—He knows them anyway, probably better than you do. But there's something about the sharing that enables the Holy Spirit to walk you through your situation.

Remember: ...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27).

Then Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (James 1:2-3)