The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all His creation. Psalm 145:9 NLT

On the continuum of joy (gratitude, goodness, happiness, joy) we come today to goodness. (See here for thoughts on gratitude).

Goodness is one of many attributes of God. Having been made in God’s image, it naturally follows that goodness is intended to be part of our earthly living experience.

Goodness is about both attitude and conduct. The Apostle Paul writes to the Romans, “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17 NLT). Living a life of goodness. Joy inevitably follows.

We must not confuse ‘doing good’ with living a life of goodness. Goodness is living in alignment with the will of God, being Christlike in our daily practices, and following the prompts and guiding of the Holy Spirit. Living consistently according to Biblical goodness is both enriching and satisfying. And leads ultimately to joy.

These attributes are experienced sequentially. Joy is impossible without goodness. Nor can one simply go directly to joy, or jump from gratitude to joy. In the order of things, goodness follows gratitude, followed by happiness, and finally, joy.

Joy is the serious business of Heaven.* Let’s get with the program.

• C. S. Lewis (1898 – 1963)