In our everyday lives as Christians, we are called to pursue what is good, true, and beautiful. These concepts—rooted in the very character of God—reflect His nature and serve as guides for our own living. They are not merely abstract philosophical ideals; rather, they are tangible realities that point us back to the core of the Gospel and are woven into the fabric of Reformed theology.

Let's explore how the good, the true, and the beautiful are revealed in Scripture and how we, as believers, are called to embody them in our daily walk. In doing so, we’ll see how these concepts not only reflect God's character but also how they are connected to the life-transforming power of the Gospel.

The Good: Reflecting God's Holiness

The idea of goodness is inseparable from God’s very being. In Mark 10:18, Jesus says, "No one is good except God alone," which reminds us that the standard of what is good comes directly from Him. Goodness is not something we define for ourselves but is rooted in God's character, especially His holiness and moral perfection.

The Bible teaches us that the ultimate expression of goodness is found in God’s law, His will for how we are to live. Psalm 119:68 states, "You are good and do good; teach me your statutes." The moral law reflects what is truly good, and as Christians, we are called to pursue this goodness not as a means of earning salvation but as a response to the salvation we've been freely given in Christ. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

From a Reformed theological perspective, the goodness we seek is bound up in God's sovereign grace. In our fallen state, we cannot achieve or even desire true goodness apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. But because of Christ's finished work on the cross, we are freed from the curse of sin and empowered to live out the good works God has called us to (Titus 2:14). This understanding drives us to pursue goodness as a reflection of God's redemptive work in us.

The True: Revealing God's Wisdom

Truth, much like goodness, originates in the character of God. In fact, Jesus Himself declares, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). To know Christ is to know the truth, and as Christians, we are called to walk in that truth. In contrast to a world often marked by relativism, where truth is seen as subjective and personal, Scripture presents truth as objective and immutable, grounded in the very nature of God.

The pursuit of truth involves both knowing and proclaiming God's Word. Jesus prayed in John 17:17, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." God's Word is the ultimate revelation of truth, providing us with a reliable foundation for understanding reality, morality, and salvation. Truth is not merely factual correctness; it is the revelation of God's wisdom, the ultimate reality that leads us to life.

In Reformed theology, this understanding of truth is deeply connected to the doctrine of God's sovereignty and His plan of redemption. The truth of the Gospel—the life, death, and resurrection of Christ—stands at the center of our faith. Through the preaching of the Word, the Holy Spirit applies this truth to our hearts, transforming us from the inside out (Romans 10:17). As we grow in our knowledge of the truth, we are called to live lives that reflect its reality. Ephesians 4:25 exhorts us to "put away falsehood" and "speak the truth" to one another, as part of our sanctification and life together in the body of Christ.

The Beautiful: Displaying God's Glory

Beauty may seem like a more subjective concept than goodness or truth, but in Scripture, beauty is tied to the glory of God. Psalm 27:4 beautifully captures this when David declares, "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple." God’s beauty is not merely aesthetic; it is a reflection of His perfect character, His holiness, and His glory.

In the Gospel, we see the beauty of God's redemptive work on display. Isaiah 53:2-3 prophesies that the Messiah would have "no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him." Yet, in the very act of Christ's suffering and death on the cross, we witness the most profound expression of beauty—God’s sacrificial love for sinners. This paradox—where what seems ugly to the world is, in reality, the most beautiful act in history—challenges our worldly notions of beauty.

Reformed theology emphasizes that all beauty in creation is a reflection of God’s ultimate beauty. The heavens declare His glory (Psalm 19:1), and we are called to appreciate and cultivate beauty as a reflection of the Creator’s handiwork. Whether it’s in the arts, our relationships, or the way we live, Christians are to reflect the beauty of God's glory in all things. This isn’t merely an aesthetic pursuit but a way of pointing others to the Creator, who is the source of all that is truly beautiful.

Living the Good, the True, and the Beautiful

As believers, we are called to live out the good, the true, and the beautiful in our everyday lives as a testimony to the world. Philippians 4:8 encapsulates this well: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

In a world filled with falsehood, moral decay, and ugliness, Christians are to be a light, reflecting the goodness, truth, and beauty of God’s character. Our pursuit of goodness should reflect our gratitude for Christ's finished work on our behalf. Our commitment to truth should lead us to boldly proclaim the Gospel in both word and deed. And our appreciation of beauty should drive us to glorify God in all aspects of life, pointing others to His ultimate glory.

At the heart of these pursuits is the Gospel itself—the ultimate revelation of God's goodness, truth, and beauty. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, we are made new creations, called to live in a way that reflects His character to the world. In doing so, we honor God and fulfill our calling as His people, created in Christ Jesus for good works, walking in the truth, and displaying His beauty to a watching world. 

Conclusion

The concepts of the good, the true, and the beautiful are far more than philosophical musings—they are reflections of God’s very nature. As Christians, we are called to embody these attributes in our daily lives, pointing back to the One who is the source of all goodness, truth, and beauty. Grounded in the Gospel and the rich tradition of Reformed theology, our pursuit of these virtues should be an act of worship, a testimony to the transforming power of Christ, and a reflection of God’s glory to the world.

This pursuit ties directly into the heart of Reformed theology, which places God’s sovereignty, grace, and glory at the center. Living out the good, the true, and the beautiful in our daily lives is an act of obedience and worship that reflects the finished work of Christ, fulfilling our ultimate purpose to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

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