Goodness of God: A perfection of his character which he exercises towards his
creatures according to their various circumstances and relations
(Psalms 145:8,9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8) Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as
exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy,
pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners,
long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the
unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of
one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection.
God is not sometimes merciful and sometimes just, but he is eternally
infinitely just and merciful." God is infinitely and unchangeably good
(Zephaniah 3:17) and his goodness is incomprehensible by the finite mind
(Romans 11:35,36) "God's goodness appears in two things, giving and
forgiving."
