People have been created by God’s goodness, as a reflection of his goodness, to do good. Being created in the image of God means that people have intrinsic value and worth. They have free will. They have been given the job of caring for God’s good world. They have the capacity to grow in Christlikeness, becoming more and more like Jesus, so that they, too, display godly attributes such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Action flows out of being, thus when people become loving, joyful, peaceful and kind humans, they behave in ways that are loving, joyful, peaceful and kind. As they do this, they reflect God’s goodness to the world.
People are created to do good (Ephesians 2:10) and their good works reflect God’s goodness to a broken world. When people selflessly give in a way that helps better someone else’s condition, they share God’s goodness. When they choose forgiveness and restoration over bitterness and resentment, they inhabit God’s goodness. When they build others up instead of tearing others down, they impart God’s goodness. When they choose to tell the truth, instead of spreading gossip or telling lies, they communicate God’s goodness. When they stand up for people on the margins, they do what is right, and convey God’s goodness.