For Goodness Sake

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 2 Peter 1:5-6 HCSB

I have heard the expression “For Goodness Sake” my whole life. It is a saying that is similar to ”For Pete's Sake” or “For Crying Out Loud”. All of these sayings are idioms that are used as a way of expressing surprise or annoyance with something that has happened or with someone's actions.

In this passage of Scripture Peter is encouraging us to add goodness to our faith. He could have said, “For goodness sake – add goodness to your faith”. He may have been disappointed with some of his readers who had become Christians and yet were not being kind towards other people. Peter was reminding them and us that we need to be kind and considerate towards others. As we are “good” towards others, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love will be developed in us. The ultimate goal is for us to love others as Christ loves them. We are to be continually growing to become more like Christ in our thoughts and actions. It all begins with faith in Jesus Christ, but we must add goodness. The goodness does not save us, but it is one step towards becoming more like Christ.

Challenge: “For Goodness Sake” be good! Treat others with respect. As Matthew 7:12, popularly known as The Golden Rule, advises, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. You are a work in progress. Keep striving to be more like Jesus Christ every day.

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