BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”—Luke 5:8
Seeing the Goodness of God
by Lynette Kittle
After a long night of catching no fish, Jesus instructed Peter to cast his nets into the deep water. Exhausted from being out all night, Peter resisted at first.
Still, because it was Jesus asking him to do so, Peter submitted. In doing so, he brought in boatloads of fish, as well as in a holy moment, experiencing a revelation of the goodness of God (Luke 5:7).
Like so many have faced, it’s a moment where you grasp the reality of your human condition in the light of God’s righteousness and purity.
Although it’s easy to think you’re doing pretty well all on your own, it’s a different story when coming face-to-face with God’s kindness. It brings a deeper self-examination and realization of the real you.
Scripture describes how the “good” things people do on their own when compared to the righteousness of God are as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6)
Likewise the prophet Isaiah came to a similar realization crying out “Woe to Me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6:5).
Seeing God’s righteousness brings a revelation of sin in your own life, along with grief over its presence. As described in 2 Corinthians 7:9, feeling regret over sin leads to repentance, causing sorrowfulness for your sin, as God intended.
2 Corinthians 7:10 explains it this way “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
If you have ever questioned why God is good to you at times when you feel so undeserving, Romans 2:4 explains how His kindheartedness, forbearance and patience is intended to lead you to repentance.
Identifying sin in your life is essential and beneficial to you. In repenting and looking to Jesus as your Savior, you find your righteousness in Him, rather than looking for it in yourself (Philippians 3:9).
2 Corinthians 5:21 explains how “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Accepting Jesus as your righteousness means when God looks at you, He doesn’t see your sin but rather He sees the righteousness of Christ.
Furthermore Scriptures states, “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, iBelieve.com, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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