Attributes of God – The Good

This deep sermon contemplates the Goodness of God, the divine quality that combines love, meekness, mercy, and generosity, revealing the tender heart of God who never tires of giving and never changes despite human sins. Pope Shenouda III explains that God’s goodness embraces everyone — humans, animals, the righteous, sinners, and even atheists — because God is absolute goodness.

Main Points

1. The Nature of Divine Goodness
   God’s goodness is not just kindness or emotion but a blend of love, meekness, and mercy. He is gentle, loving, and humble, and thus good in all His works, even before humanity existed.

2. Goodness in Creation and Giving
   Out of His goodness, God did not wish to be alone; He created humans and all creation, preparing everything — sun, moon, plants, animals — so that all could live in abundance and joy.

3. God’s Love Toward Humanity
   He created humans in His image and likeness — in beauty, wisdom, and mercy — and gave them talents and freedom, even if they misused them. He does not withdraw His gifts but waits with patience and love.

4. Goodness in Forgiveness and Mercy
   God forgives without limit. He came to “seek and save what was lost” and calls sinners not to condemn them but to redeem them. The stories of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, and the sinful woman show His tender hand extended in mercy, not punishment.

5. God’s Forbearance Toward Humanity
   God bears with people in their weakness and even repairs what they destroy, as when He healed the servant’s ear. Even on the cross, He prayed for His crucifiers, saying, “Father, forgive them.”

6. Goodness That Includes Everyone
   God’s goodness extends to sinners, unbelievers, animals, and even to fallen angels, giving all a chance for repentance. He is the God of justice and opportunity, who never cuts off hope.

7. Eternal Generosity
   God gives endlessly — in earth and heaven, materially and spiritually, through grace and glory. He makes humans temples of His Spirit, calls them His children and friends, and prepares for them eternal glory beyond imagination.

8. The Human Response
   The problem is not in God’s goodness but in human hardness of heart. The call is to live in love, mercy, and gentleness, thankful to the God whose goodness never changes.

Spiritual Dimension (Coptic Orthodox Perspective)

• The goodness of God reflects His loving essence, who “does not desire the death of the sinner but that he may turn and live.”

• God’s nature remains good regardless of human evil; He is the unchanging source of love.

• The believer is called to imitate this divine goodness — to be kind, forgiving, and merciful — as the path to holiness and participation in the divine nature.

• The sermon ends with gratitude: “Lord, we thank You for Your goodness — stay good forever.”

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