The Abundant Goodness of Jehovah

“How abundant your goodness is, which you have treasured up for those fearing you!”​—PSALM 31:19.

1, 2. (a) What immense work did Jehovah undertake at some time in the distant past? (b) How did Jehovah describe the result of his creative activities?

THERE was a time when God began to create ‘the heavens as his throne and the earth as his footstool.’ (Isaiah 66:1) The divine record does not reveal when this took place. It simply states: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) During the period of creation, untold millions of galaxies were formed, many containing thousands of millions of stars. Toward the outer edge of one such galaxy was a bright star orbited by a number of relatively small, dark spheres. One of them came to be called the earth. Compared to the great, shining stars, the earth was insignificant. Yet, this was what Jehovah purposed to be his footstool.

² Jehovah thus turned his creative abilities toward the planet Earth. “The firstborn of all creation” was at his side as a Master Worker while this small, dark mass was changed during the course of six long creative “days.” It became, figuratively, a suitable resting-place for God’s feet. (Colossians 1:15; Exodus 20:11; Proverbs 8:30) Here was where God purposed to place a new form of intelligent life: mankind. The first human pair, created from elements found in the ground, were placed in lovely, paradisaic surroundings. (Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:7, 8) So perfect, so beautiful, was the final result of this outstanding act of creation that the Bible reveals God’s feelings on the morning​—the final part—​of the sixth creative day: “God saw everything he had made and, look! it was very good.”​—Genesis 1:31.

God’s Goodness

3. What outstanding quality of God is revealed in creation?

³ Thousands of years later, a descendant of that first human pair looked back to the time of creation and wrote: “[God’s] invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship.” (Romans 1:20) Yes, the superb excellence of the earth and of the creatures on it was indeed a marvelous reflection of God’s invisible qualities​—not least of which is God’s abundant goodness. How appropriate, then, that God pronounced that everything he had created was good!​—Psalm 31:19.

4, 5. What is goodness?

⁴ Goodness is the sixth aspect of the fruitage of God’s spirit described by the apostle Paul at Galatians 5:22. Previous studies in the Watchtower magazine have discussed the first five fruits of the spirit, showing the importance of these in the cultivation of a rounded-out Christian personality.a How vital, though, that we do not forget goodness! Fittingly, we now give our attention to this quality.

⁵ What is goodness? It is the quality or state of being good. It is moral excellence, virtue. Hence, it is a positive quality that expresses itself in the performance of good and beneficial acts toward others. How can we display this endearing quality? Basically, by imitating Jehovah. Hence, before discussing further how we as individual Christians can manifest goodness, let us examine the goodness that our loving God, Jehovah, has shown in his providing for, and dealing with, the human family.

Goodness Manifested in Creation

6. What prompted Jehovah to create other intelligent forms of life?

⁶ What prompted our heavenly Father in the first place to share his enjoyment of life with intelligent living creatures? The apostle John answers that question when he says: “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) Yes, unselfish love moved the great Source of life to create other living forms, providing some with a heavenly home and others with an earthly home. Of course, we know little of what heaven or the heavenly creatures are like. They are spirits​—invisible to human eyes—​and their home is in the spirit realm. But look around you at the earthly home that Jehovah provided for his human children. And consider mankind itself. Then you will begin to see with your own eyes powerful evidence of God’s goodness.

7-9. How is God’s goodness seen in the way he created the earth and man upon it?

⁷ Jehovah gave our first parents life. More than that, he made it possible for life to be highly pleasant, enjoyable. To begin with, he created their home, the earth, with a rotation, a temperature range, and an atmosphere that were just right. He set in motion water, nitrogen, and oxygen cycles that worked perfectly for the benefit and comfort of humans. He carpeted earth’s surface with thousands of types of vegetation, some for man’s food and some that especially delight the eye. He filled the skies with birds that give much pleasure with their colors and their songs. He filled the seas with swarms of fish and the land with many kinds of animals, some wild and some that can be tamed. What prodigious generosity! And what evidence of God’s goodness of heart!​—Psalm 104:24.

⁸ Look, now, at the way God made man. His arms, legs, and hands are just what are needed to enable him to maintain his balance and move about with ease. Thus, from the materials found so abundantly on the earth around him, he can obtain food and other necessities for himself. Jehovah provided taste buds so that eating and drinking were not just mechanical acts performed to obtain energy​—like connecting an appliance to an electrical outlet today. No, eating and drinking were designed to give enjoyment, as they not only fill the stomach but also excite the sense of taste. Jehovah gave man ears as well and surrounded him with a multitude of sounds to delight those ears. What a pleasure it is to listen to the soothing murmur of a running brook, the cooing of a turtledove, or the chuckling laugh of a baby! Yes, thanks to God’s goodness, in spite of all the bad things that have happened since creation, it is still a joy to be alive.

⁹ Look, too, at our other senses. How many varying, delightful colors exist to please our eyes! And how satisfying it is to smell the delicate fragrance of a flower! No wonder the psalmist exclaimed to Jehovah: “I shall laud you because in a fear-inspiring way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful”!​—Psalm 139:14.

Mankind’s Fall and Rescue

10. How have most humans responded to God’s goodness, yet how do they continue to benefit from it?

¹⁰ Sadly, in time our first parents displayed a lack of appreciation for all of God’s goodness toward them. They showed this when they disobeyed Jehovah’s commands and trespassed against the sole restriction he had imposed. As a result, they and their offspring came to know sorrow, suffering, and death. (Genesis 2:16, 17; 3:16-19; Romans 5:12) Throughout the millenniums that have passed since that act of disobedience, most of mankind has shown indifference toward or lack of appreciation for God’s goodness. In spite of this, though, thankless and unappreciative people still benefit from God’s goodness. In what way? The apostle Paul explained to the inhabitants of Lystra in the Middle East: “[God] did not leave himself without witness in that he did good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts to the full with food and good cheer.”​—Acts 14:17.

11. In what way does God’s goodness go further than providing a delightful home for mankind?

¹¹ But God’s goodness has not been limited to continuing to provide the delightful, life-sustaining provisions with which the earth abounds. No, he went further. Jehovah showed himself ready to forgive the sins of Adam’s offspring and to continue to nurture relations with faithful ones among mankind. This aspect of God’s goodness was brought to the attention of Moses when Jehovah promised to cause ‘all his goodness to pass before [Moses’] face.’ Moses then heard the declaration: “Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth, preserving loving-kindness for thousands, pardoning error and transgression and sin.”​—Exodus 33:19; 34:6, 7.

12. What provisions of the Mosaic Law showed Jehovah’s goodness?

¹² In Moses’ day, Jehovah established a legal system for the new nation of Israel whereby unintentional sinners could obtain a provisional, or symbolic, forgiveness of sin. Through the Law covenant that Moses mediated, the Israelites became God’s special nation and were taught to offer to Jehovah various animal sacrifices that would cover their sins and unclean acts. Thus, despite their imperfect natures, repentant Israelites could continue to approach Jehovah acceptably and know that their worship was pleasing to him. King David, a member of that nation under the Law, expressed his awareness of God’s goodness in this regard: “The sins of my youth and my revolts O do not remember. According to your loving-kindness do you yourself remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Jehovah.”​—Psalm 25:7.

13. How did Jehovah provide a more effective way than animal sacrifices for forgiveness of sins?

¹³ In time Jehovah’s goodness moved him to provide a more effective and permanent way to forgive sins. This was by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, who was a descendant of King David. (Matthew 1:6-16; Luke 3:23-31) Jesus did not sin. Hence, when he died, his life given in sacrifice had great value, and God accepted it as a ransom that could cover all of Adam’s sinful offspring. The apostle Paul wrote: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and it is as a free gift that they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom paid by Christ Jesus. God set him forth as an offering for propitiation through faith in his blood.”​—Romans 3:23-26.

14. What wonderful hopes are made possible for humans through the ransom sacrifice?

¹⁴ Faith in Jesus’ ransom sacrifice accomplishes much for Christians, much more than those animal sacrifices under the Law covenant did for the Israelites. It led to a limited number of Christians being declared righteous and adopted by God’s spirit to become his sons. They thus became Jesus’ brothers and gained the hope of being resurrected as spirit creatures to share with him in his heavenly Kingdom. (Luke 22:29, 30; Romans 8:14-17) Imagine that God would open such heavenly prospects to creatures living on this small planet, the earth! A small group cherishing this hope still remains. But for millions of other Christians, exercise of faith in the ransom opens the way to enjoy what Adam and Eve lost​—eternal life on a paradise, gardenlike earth. The Law covenant alone had been able to supply neither heavenly nor earthly future prospects for its adherents.

15. What is included in the good news?

¹⁵ How appropriate that the message about the new arrangements that God set in motion through Jesus Christ is called “good news,” for it reflects God’s goodness. (2 Timothy 1:9, 10) In the Bible, the good news is sometimes called the “good news of the kingdom.” Today it centers on the truth that the Kingdom has been established under the rulership of the resurrected Jesus. (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 11:15; 14:6, 7) Nevertheless, the good news involves more. As indicated by Paul’s words to Timothy just quoted, it includes the knowledge that Jesus offered a ransom sacrifice in our behalf. Without that sacrifice, our relationship with God, our very salvation​—not to mention the Kingdom of Jesus and 144,000 priests and kings taken from the earth—​would not be possible. What a wonderful manifestation of God’s goodness the ransom is!

God’s Goodness Today

16, 17. How was Hosea 3:5 fulfilled (a) in 537 B.C.E.? (b) in 1919 C.E.?

¹⁶ Looking forward to “the last days,” the apostle Paul warned: “Men will be . . . without love of goodness.” (2 Timothy 3:1-3) Even normal manifestations of goodness, such as generosity and neighborliness, would not be appreciated. How encouraging, then, is the heartwarming prophecy of Hosea 3:5: “The sons of Israel will come back and certainly look for Jehovah their God, and for David their king; and they will certainly come quivering to Jehovah and to his goodness in the final part of the days.”

¹⁷ This prophecy was first fulfilled in 537 B.C.E. when the Jews returned to the Promised Land from exile in Babylon. In modern times, it began its fulfillment in the year 1919 when the remnant of spiritual Israel came out of Satan’s organization and started earnestly looking for Jehovah and his goodness. They found that “David their king” had been reigning in the person of Jesus Christ in heavenly power since 1914. Under his heavenly supervision, they enthusiastically took up the announcing of this good news to the nations. Thus they began to fulfill the commission recorded at Matthew 24:14: “This good news of the [established] kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”

18. Who have joined the remnant of spiritual Israel in declaring the good news?

¹⁸ Today, the remnant of anointed ones have been joined by the “great crowd,” who similarly hail Jehovah’s goodness. (Revelation 7:9) Now, more than four million echo the voice of the angel seen by the apostle John in vision as they announce to all the nations: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived, and so worship the One who made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.”​—Revelation 14:7.

19. Name one of the greatest evidences of God’s goodness.

¹⁹ One of the greatest evidences of God’s goodness is that he allows us to be his coworkers in this climactic work. What a privilege to have entrusted to us “the glorious good news of the happy God”! (1 Timothy 1:11) By our preaching and teaching this to others, we are manifesting to a high degree that important fruit of God’s spirit, goodness. Thus, we have the attitude of God’s ancient servant David, who said: “With the mention of the abundance of your goodness they will bubble over, and because of your righteousness they will cry out joyfully.”​—Psalm 145:7.

20. What further information regarding goodness will be discussed in the next article?

²⁰ However, is sharing in the preaching of the good news the only way to manifest goodness in our lives? By no means! We are encouraged to become “imitators of God, as beloved children.” (Ephesians 5:1) God’s goodness is manifested in various ways. Hence, our goodness too should affect many aspects of our lives. Some of these will be considered in the following article.

[Footnotes]

Producing “Every Sort of Goodness”

“The fruitage of the light consists of every sort of goodness.”​—EPHESIANS 5:9.

1, 2. What two groups have existed since ancient times, and how different are their situations today?

AFTER the rebellion in Eden, some six thousand years ago, and again after the Flood of Noah’s day, mankind divided into two groups, or organizations, one made up of those who strove to serve Jehovah, the other of those who followed Satan. Do these organizations still exist? Certainly they do! The prophet Isaiah mentioned these two groups and foretold their condition in our time: “Look! darkness itself will cover the earth, and thick gloom the national groups; but upon you Jehovah will shine forth, and upon you his own glory will be seen.”​—Isaiah 60:1, 2.

² Yes, the difference between these two organizations is as great as that between darkness and light. And just as a beam of light will attract a man lost in the darkness, so light from Jehovah shining in this dark world has attracted millions of righthearted ones to God’s organization. As Isaiah went on to say: “Nations [other sheep] will certainly go to your light, and kings [anointed Kingdom heirs] to the brightness of your shining forth.”​—Isaiah 60:3.

3. In what ways do Christians display the glory of Jehovah?

³ How do Jehovah’s people display the glory of Jehovah? For one thing, they preach the good news of God’s established, heavenly Kingdom. (Mark 13:10) But more than that, they imitate Jehovah, the prime example of goodness, and thus by their conduct attract meek ones to the light. (Ephesians 5:1) Paul said: “You were once darkness, but you are now light in connection with the Lord. Go on walking as children of light.” He continued: “The fruitage of the light consists of every sort of goodness and righteousness and truth. Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord; and quit sharing with them in the unfruitful works that belong to the darkness.” (Ephesians 5:8-11) What did Paul mean by “every sort of goodness”?

4. What is goodness, and how is it seen in a Christian?

⁴ As our previous article showed, goodness is the quality or state of moral excellence, virtue. Jesus said that only Jehovah is good in the absolute sense. (Mark 10:18) Nevertheless, a Christian can imitate Jehovah by cultivating goodness as a fruit of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22) Commenting on a·ga·thosʹ, the Greek word for “good,” Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words says, “[It] describes that which, being good in its character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect.” A Christian cultivating goodness will therefore both be good and do good. (Compare Deuteronomy 12:28.) He will also avoid things that are opposed to goodness, “the unfruitful works that belong to the darkness.” The different ways that a Christian can manifest goodness in his conduct are the ‘sorts of goodness’ that Paul mentioned. What are some of these?

“Keep Doing Good”

5. What is one sort of goodness, and why should a Christian cultivate it?

⁵ Paul referred to one of these in his letter to the Romans. Speaking of subjection to “the superior authorities,” he said: “Do you, then, want to have no fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it.” The “good” he refers to is obedience to the laws and arrangements of secular authorities. Why should a Christian be subject to these? So as to avoid unnecessary conflict with the authorities, thus risking punishment and​—more important—​in order to preserve a clean conscience before God. (Romans 13:1-7) While preserving his primary obedience to Jehovah, a Christian ‘honors the king,’ not rebelling against authorities that Jehovah God allows to exist. (1 Peter 2:13-17) In this way, Christians are good neighbors, good citizens, and good examples.

Considerate of Others

6. (a) What is another aspect of goodness? (b) Who are mentioned in the Bible as deserving of our consideration?

⁶ Jehovah’s goodness is displayed in his providing for all earth’s inhabitants “rains from heaven and fruitful seasons.” This results in a ‘fullness of food and good cheer’ and shows him to be a truly considerate God. (Acts 14:17) We can imitate him in this respect by showing consideration for others in small and large ways. For whom, specifically? Paul refers in particular to the elders, “those who are working hard among you and presiding over you in the Lord and admonishing you.” He urges Christians to give these “more than extraordinary consideration in love because of their work.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13) How can we do this? By cooperating fully with them​—for example, by sharing in necessary work in the Kingdom Hall. While always feeling free to approach the elders for help when needed, we should not be unreasonably demanding. Rather, in whatever ways we can, we try to lighten the load of these hardworking shepherds, many of whom have family responsibilities in addition to their congregation duties.

7. In what ways can we show consideration for the elderly?

⁷ The physically old also deserve our consideration. A specific commandment of the Mosaic Law was: “Before gray hair you should rise up, and you must show consideration for the person of an old man, and you must be in fear of your God. I am Jehovah.” (Leviticus 19:32) How can this consideration be shown? Younger ones may wish to volunteer to help them with shopping or with other chores. The elders can considerately check to see if any older ones need help to attend meetings. At assemblies, young, vigorous individuals will avoid jostling slower-moving older ones in an impatient attempt to pass, and they will be patient if an elderly one is a little slow getting seated or getting food.

8. How may we show consideration to another deserving group singled out in the Bible?

⁸ The psalmist mentions another group needing consideration: “Happy is anyone acting with consideration toward the lowly one.” (Psalm 41:1) It may be easy to be considerate of the prominent or the wealthy, but what of the lowly or the poor? The Bible writer James indicated that showing equal consideration to these is a test of our righteousness and Christian love. May we pass this test by being thoughtful toward all regardless of their circumstances.​—Philippians 2:3, 4; James 2:2-4, 8, 9.

“Continue Becoming Merciful”

9, 10. Why should Christians be merciful, and how can this sort of goodness be shown?

⁹ A further sort of goodness is seen in some of Jesus’ parables. In one of these, Jesus told of a Samaritan who came across a man who had been robbed, badly beaten, and left lying on the road. A Levite and a priest had walked by the injured man, refusing to help him. But the Samaritan stopped and gave him succor, doing more than may have been reasonably expected. The story is often called the parable of the Good Samaritan. What sort of goodness did the Samaritan manifest? Mercy. When Jesus asked his listener to identify who proved to be the neighbor of the wounded man, the correct answer was given: “The one that acted mercifully toward him.”​—Luke 10:37.

¹⁰ Merciful Christians imitate Jehovah, of whom Moses said to the Israelites: “Jehovah your God is a merciful God. He will not desert you or bring you to ruin or forget the covenant of your forefathers that he swore to them.” (Deuteronomy 4:31) Jesus showed how God’s mercy should affect us: “Continue becoming merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36) How can we show mercy? As Jesus’ parable indicated, one way is to be ready to help our fellow, even if it involves risk or inconvenience. A good person will not ignore the suffering of his brother if he is in a position to do something about it.​—James 2:15, 16.

11, 12. According to Jesus’ parable of the slaves, what does mercy include, and how can we manifest this today?

¹¹ Another of Jesus’ parables showed that merciful goodness includes a readiness to forgive others. He told of a slave who owed his master ten thousand talents. Unable to pay, the slave begged for mercy, and his master kindly forgave that huge debt of 60,000,000 denarii. But the slave went off and found another slave who owed him only a hundred denarii. The forgiven slave mercilessly threw the debtor into prison until he could pay. Clearly, the merciless slave was not a good man, and when the master heard what had happened, he called him to account.​—Matthew 18:23-35.

¹² We are in a situation similar to that of the forgiven slave. On the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice, Jehovah has forgiven a huge debt of sin on our account. Surely, then, we should be ready to forgive others. Jesus said that we should be ready to forgive “up to seventy-seven times,” without limit. (Matthew 5:7; 6:12, 14, 15; 18:21, 22) Hence, a merciful Christian will not carry a grudge. He will not harbor resentment or refuse to talk to a fellow Christian because of bad feelings. Such lack of mercy is not a mark of Christian goodness.

Generous and Hospitable

13. What else does goodness include?

¹³ Goodness is manifested also by generosity and hospitality. On one occasion a young man came to Jesus for counsel. He said: “Teacher, what good must I do in order to get everlasting life?” Jesus told him that he should observe God’s commandments continually. Yes, obedience to Jehovah’s commands is an aspect of goodness. The young man thought he was already doing this as best he could. Clearly, to his neighbors he already seemed to be a good person, yet he felt he lacked something. So Jesus said: “If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” (Matthew 19:16-22) The young man went away grieved. He was very wealthy. If he had followed Jesus’ counsel, he would have shown that he was not materialistic. And he would have performed a good act of truly selfless generosity.

14. What fine counsel did both Jehovah and Jesus give regarding generosity?

¹⁴ Jehovah urged the Israelites to be generous. For example, we read: “You should by all means give to [your poverty-stricken neighbor], and your heart should not be stingy in your giving to him, because on this account Jehovah your God will bless you in every deed of yours and in every undertaking of yours.” (Deuteronomy 15:10; Proverbs 11:25) Jesus Christ personally urged generosity: “Practice giving, and people will give to you. They will pour into your laps a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing.” (Luke 6:38) Moreover, Jesus was personally very generous. On one occasion, he had set aside time to rest a little. Crowds found out where he was and came to him. Jesus generously forgot about resting and expended himself in behalf of the crowd. Later, he showed outstanding hospitality in providing food for that large crowd.​—Mark 6:30-44.

15. How did Jesus’ disciples set an excellent example in displaying generosity?

¹⁵ Faithful to the counsel of Jehovah and of Jesus, many of Jesus’ disciples were notably generous and hospitable. In the first days of the Christian congregation, a large number of those who had come to celebrate Pentecost in 33 C.E. heard the preaching of the apostles and became believers. Staying on after the feast in order to learn more, they ran low on provisions. Therefore, local believers sold their property and contributed the money to sustain their new brothers so that these could become better established in the faith. What generosity!​—Acts 4:32-35; see also Acts 16:15; Romans 15:26.

16. Name some of the ways that we today can be hospitable and generous.

¹⁶ Today, a similar Christlike generosity is seen when Christians contribute time and money to their local congregations and to the worldwide preaching work. It is evidenced when they come to the relief of brothers suffering from natural disaster or war. It is manifested when the circuit overseer is cared for during his regular visit. Or when “fatherless boys” (and fatherless girls) are generously invited to share in recreation and family Bible studies with other Christian families, this too is hospitality, a manifestation of Christian goodness.​—Psalm 68:5.

Telling the Truth

17. Why is truthfulness a challenge today?

¹⁷ When Paul described the fruitage of the light, he linked goodness with righteousness and truth, and it would be correct to say that truthfulness is another sort of goodness. Good people do not tell lies. Nevertheless, telling the truth is a special challenge today when lying is so prevalent. Many individuals lie when they fill out their tax returns. Employees lie about the work they do. Students lyingly cheat in their lessons and exams. Businessmen lie when setting up deals. Children lie to escape punishment. Malicious gossipers lyingly ruin the reputations of others.

18. How does Jehovah view liars?

¹⁸ Lying is repugnant to Jehovah. Among the ‘seven things’ that he hates are “a false tongue” and “a false witness that launches forth lies.” (Proverbs 6:16-19) “All the liars” are listed among the cowards, the murderers, and the fornicators, who will have no place in God’s new world. (Revelation 21:8) Further, the proverb tells us: “The one walking in his uprightness is fearing Jehovah, but the one crooked in his ways is despising Him.” (Proverbs 14:2) A liar is crooked in his ways. Hence, a liar gives evidence of despising Jehovah. What a terrible thought! Let us always tell the truth, even if it leads to our being disciplined or losing out financially. (Proverbs 16:6; Ephesians 4:25) Those who tell the truth imitate Jehovah, “the God of truth.”​—Psalm 31:5.

Cultivate Goodness

19. What is sometimes seen in the world, reflecting credit on the Creator?

¹⁹ These are just a few of the ‘sorts’ of goodness that a Christian should cultivate. It is true that people in the world manifest goodness to a degree. Some are hospitable, for example, and others are merciful. Indeed, what made the parable of the Good Samaritan so remarkable was that Jesus told of a non-Jew who showed mercy when elders in the Jewish congregation did not. It is indeed a tribute to man’s Creator that such traits still appear naturally in some humans even after six thousand years of imperfection.

20, 21. (a) Why is Christian goodness different from any goodness we may see in people of the world? (b) How can a Christian cultivate goodness, and why should we be diligent to do so?

²⁰ Nevertheless, for Christians goodness is more than just a quality that they might or might not possess. It is a quality they must cultivate in all its aspects, since they have to be imitators of God. How is this possible? The Bible tells us that we can learn goodness. “Teach me goodness,” the psalmist prayed to God. How? He continued: “For in your commandments I have exercised faith.” He added: “You are good and are doing good. Teach me your regulations.”​—Psalm 119:66, 68.

²¹ Yes, if we learn Jehovah’s commandments and obey them, we will cultivate goodness. Always remember that goodness is a fruit of the spirit. If we seek Jehovah’s spirit through prayer, association, and Bible study, then we will surely be helped to cultivate this quality. Moreover, goodness is powerful. It can even conquer evil. (Romans 12:21) How vital it is, then, that we do good to all, especially to our Christian brothers. (Galatians 6:10) If we do so, we will be among those who enjoy the “glory and honor and peace” that is promised for “everyone who works what is good.”​—Romans 2:6-11.