The goodness of God: John & Revelation
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1-5
When we speak of God’s goodness in our lives, how often do we allow this simple truth to deeply reside in the crevices of our hearts and settle into our everyday lives where it matters most?
What does it mean to live as though God IS good?
Often we can understand these truths on the surface, but our hearts and minds have not fully embraced what this means for our current reality– that Jesus is the “light of men” and has overcome darkness, both now and in eternity!
In the books of John and Revelation (both written by the apostle John), we find a beautiful and transformative reflection of the goodness of God as seen in the life of Jesus, both during His early ministry, death, and resurrection as our Lord and Savior, but also as the victorious King who lives to redeem all things for all time. These truths about who Jesus is and what He has done for all mankind can anchor our lives, transforming the lens through which we see the world and our place in it.
While not often stated implicitly, the truth of God’s goodness in the books of John and Revelation saturates their pages. In John, we find our Savior-King, sent to earth as the Word in human form to dwell among us, reconciling us to Himself! In the book of Revelation, we see the ultimate victory of God in His goodness as he makes all things new! Together, these two books invoke an invitation for a profound encounter with God’s goodness, and to rest in it wholly - a goodness that permeates the very essence of our lives.
God’s Goodness through Jesus in the Book of John
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
From the outset of the gospel of John, the message of Jesus (the Word of God) is front and center, which is the core reason for the words of this book. This message tells of Jesus’ coming to dwell among humanity, showing us unconditional love and then dying for our sins so that we may be fully restored to a right relationship with God. His goodness as our Savior is fully evident.
Throughout the book of John, we learn more of God’s goodness in Jesus’ “I Am” statements - whom Jesus himself says He is:
The Bread of Life (6:35)
Light of the World (8:12)
The Door (10:7)
The Good Shepherd (10:11)
The Resurrection and the Life (11:25)
The Way, the Truth, and the Life (14:6)
The True Vine (15:1)
Each powerful “I Am” statement reveals Jesus’ divine authority and mission, showing that He engages us in a deeply personal and fully redemptive way. Through the goodness of God displayed in Jesus, we are offered the assurance of eternal life, a guiding light in darkness, a clear path to God, and the ability to live fruitful, purposeful lives. These truths transform our relationship with God, inviting us into a life of hope, trust, and abundant grace. If that isn’t good, then I don’t know what is!
Not only that, but Jesus reveals his goodness and authority as the Son of God through His interactions with everyday people and the miraculous works He performs throughout the gospel of John. Jesus turns water into wine (John 2), heals an official’s son (John 4), and heals a lame man (John 5). Jesus feeds the 5,000 and walks on water (John 6), and heals a man born blind (John 9). In the last recorded miracle in this book, Jesus raises His friend Lazarus back to life (John 11). He proves His authority through His works, yet His promise to save is the most powerful of all: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28).
“But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
John 1:12
The Goodness of God through the Father
We also see the goodness of God through Father God in the book of John. As we’ve seen throughout the Old Testament and up until now, this precious reality is revealed in multiple ways and stories but culminates here in the book of John:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.’ John 3:16-17
In Christ, God showed the ultimate expression of His goodness. He held back nothing, even His only son, to reach our hearts and restore us to a full relationship with Him. Is there any greater expression of goodness than this?
God’s Goodness in our Lives Today
I asked at the beginning, how often do we allow the simple truth of God’s goodness to deeply reside in the crevices of our hearts and settle into our everyday lives where it matters most? And what does it mean to live as though God IS good? The truth is, when life's challenges hit hard and our days are overwhelming, we can easily miss the profound impact of this simple truth on our hearts. The truth is, when God’s goodness is revealed anew to us, it changes everything.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:26-27
Because of God’s Goodness, as expressed through Jesus' life in the Book of John, we have the promise of the Holy Spirit to remain with us, teach us, and remind us of Jesus’ words. In the gift of the Holy Spirit, we have the gift of peace (shalom) for our everyday lives.
Because of His promise, we have peace and the power to overcome. “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
These truths set the stage perfectly for the ultimate restoration and redemption revealed in John’s book of Revelation.
God’s Goodness in the Book of Revelation
‘Mel, we have a great future.” These are words I remember my precious daddy, one of my greatest heroes in the faith, used to say to me often before He passed into eternity a few years ago. He would lean in and emphasize the word “great.” What he meant by these words is also what is expressed in this prophetic and powerful book- what is to come is the culmination of all time - and we know that in the end, Jesus is victorious, and we will be with Him forever! His words and the hope behind those words regularly remind me that no matter our struggles, God’s goodness assures us of a future lived fully in God’s presence with no fear of pain or loss.
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:1-4
As a culmination of the precious gift of salvation we receive through the work of Jesus (as revealed in the book of John), the book of Revelation is a prophetic book of what is to come when Jesus returns to restore all things to Himself. The book offers an overwhelmingly beautiful vision of the future– the promise of a day when “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore…” Jesus reveals Himself as victor over death and evil for all time, culminating in a day when He will gather His beloved to Himself for all eternity in the ultimate restoration.
This promise is a gift of hope for our everyday lives. While we know that God is good and with us in our struggles, there is something overwhelmingly assuring about knowing how the story will end. Nothing we face on earth will even compare to the beauty and glory that awaits us in our eternity in God's presence.
Living in the Goodness of God
The goodness of God invites us to rest and remain in Him. Because of His unwavering goodness, we can experience true peace, trusting fully in His care for today and all eternity.
A.W. Tozer is quoted as saying,
“The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.”
While I like to think I truly understand God’s goodness, the more I reflect on what He’s done for me, it changes me and transforms my perspective. Let that sink in: we will never exhaust the depths of His goodness—what a gift!
God’s goodness isn’t just a truth to believe—it’s a reality to live. It’s a refuge in the storm, a source of unshakable strength, and a wellspring of hope. Are you willing to trust Him more deeply? Take a moment to reflect: He gave everything to bring you close, stands with you in every trial, and promises complete restoration.
Let this truth transform you today:
The God who is infinitely good is with you, goes before you, holds you, and will never leave you.
No matter what you face, you have a future filled with His goodness and glory.
Because of this truth, no matter what you face today, you can walk forward with hope, knowing you have a GREAT future. May this change how we live, interact with people, and serve our great and good God.
