"In every soul that shall be saved is a Godly Will that never assented to sin, nor ever shall: which Will is so good that it may never will evil, but evermore continually it willeth good; and worketh good in the sight of God. Therefore our Lord willeth that we know this in the Faith and the belief; and especially that we have all this blessed Will whole and safe in our Lord Jesus Christ."
Julian of Norwich (ch. 53)
We can make mistakes and fail miserably. We can think bad thoughts and live bad lives. Yet no matter what wrong turns we have made in life or have much we have fallen into ruinous behaviors, there is a part of us that has never willed or done wrong. Yes, we do many wrong things and are weak and feeble and fall into temptation, yet we are not truly bad deep down. In the depths of our soul is something pure and innocent and good that never goes along with those wayward outer thoughts and words and acts but is always willing and wanting the good. It's a relief to know the deepest part of us isn't turned naturally towards evil but towards good, is not oriented away from God but ever towards Him. Julian calls this inner something that is always willing good the "godly will." This godly will is so good it actually cannot will evil at all. This godly will is kept safe and whole in Christ always and forever. We do not have to maintain our inner goodness. It is just who we are. It is our true identity. It is found in Christ and kept in Christ at all times, complete and pure and good. Deep down we always will good and never evil. Deep down we always work good and never evil. Christ has been preserving our true identity in Himself all along, and He always will preserve that identity. For our true identity is ever linked to and sourced in Christ, and is at its deepest, actually Christ Himself in us. Since the deepest part of us, our very core, is God Himself, willing and working His "godly will," there is no way that could ever be bad!
"I want to do good."
Romans 7:21 (PHILLIPS)
"For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."
Philippians 2:13 (NKJV)
A Prayer: You are my constant inner goodness!