The Good Pleasure of Goodness
The good pleasure of goodness is a blessing of God that motivates us to be useful and productive in things of eternal importance.
We find spiritual meaning and purpose in our life in Messiah Jesus, doing what God motivates us to do.
When God blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Messiah Jesus, it was according to the good pleasure of his will. (Ephesians 1:5)
God made known to us the mystery of His will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in Himself. (Ephesians 1:9) And, created us in Messiah to do good works and walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10
God instills the good pleasure of goodness in us.
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13 NASB.
Messiah Jesus proclaimed this Gospel of the Kingdom his disciples.
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 ESV.
In kingdom perspective of eternity Paul prays for the Thessalonians and us, revealing our spiritual meaning and purpose.
“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is only fitting, because your faith is increasing abundantly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another grows ever greater. As a result, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for our perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you indeed are suffering. For after all it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us, when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified among His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—because our testimony to you was believed.”: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10 NASB.
Spiritual meaning and purpose.
“Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NKJ.
Thus, Paul imparts spiritual wisdom for our understanding.
“Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. …
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 2:6-8,12-13 ESV.
~ Bill Bremer
Bill Bremer is Founder and Managing Director at Kingdom Relationships Colorado.