Goodness for Spiritual Maturity

We should become mature, fully like Christ. That’s God’s goal for us. A good prayer to speed us on our way would be: “Heavenly Father, I ask you to bring growth in my spiritual life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Goodness
We need to do that which God considers good to please our Father in heaven. The Bible is full of advice about goodness and mercy.

1. Mercy and goodness brings God's blessing in terms of answered prayer
1 Peter 3:9 return blessings to others to be blessed by God
Luke 6:38 "Give and it will be given you: Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap.  For with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you."
Mark 9:41 "For whoever gives you a cup of cold water in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."

2. lack of mercy brings lack of answered prayer
1 Peter 3:7 "Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered."
Isaiah 59:1,2 our sins cause God to not hear our prayers.

Oral Roberts called this "Seed Faith" for getting answered prayers from God.  He is right on this point.  But how do we know what the "good" is that God will bless?  We all have had good ideas backfire on us.  Here's where divine guidance comes in.