Good People

Are you a good person? I don't think we often ask this question. We rarely ask it of ourselves and certainly not of others. Perhaps we don't ask because the answer is assumed. I'm convinced that most people believe themselves to be basically good. The human conscience requires that we justify our own actions to ourselves, lest we deal with the discomfort of self-condemnation. The scriptures certainly agree with this sentiment,

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but Jehovah weighs the spirits.
Proverbs 16:2

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Jehovah ponders the hearts.
Proverbs 21:2

But, I return to the question, "Are you a good person?" How would you answer that question? Most people, faced with this question, would answer "Yes, I think so". Perhaps the more thoughtful would hedge a bit with "For the most part". I'd like to probe a bit deeper than just to settle for that level of self-evaluation. Let's ask a few more questions.

Q: Have you ever told a lie?
A: No, I don't lie.

Q: Any lie? At any time in your life?
A: Ok, yes, if you put it that way, I have told a lie.

Q: Have you ever stolen anything?
A: No.

Q: Really? Come on. You just told me you are a liar. Have you ever stolen anything, even something others might consider small?
A: Well, yes, I guess I have.

Q: Ok, so we have established that you are a liar and a thief. Have you ever looked on another (not your spouse) to stir up lust in your heart?
A: Yes, I suppose I have.

Q: In Matthew 5, Jesus says that you have committed adultery in your heart. Have you ever felt hatred for anyone?
A: I'm ashamed to say I have.

Q: 1 John 3:15 indicates that one who hates his brother is a murderer.

So, we have established that you (and I) are a lying, thieving, adulterous, and murderous fellow in heart if not in deed. Does that sound good to you? If God judged you today, based on these admissions, would you be innocent or guilty?

At this point we usually start in with the objections.

Objection, your honor: Everyone is guilty of these things!
Overruled: To say that all men are guilty is not to say that you are innocent. It is true that all accountable people are guilty of some, if not all, of these sins. Pointing out that all are guilty is not a defense. God does not grade on some cosmic curve. We are not judged relative to others, but based on God's universal standard.

Objection, your honor: While it is true that I used to do those things, I don't anymore. It's been hours since I last lied, stole, lusted or felt hatred.
Overruled: It doesn't matter if it has been be 2 minutes or 20 years since you last sinned. There is no statute of limitations on sin. Once you have sinned, you are a sinner and are condemned by God's just law.

Objection, your honor: But what about grace? Isn't there forgiveness?
Overruled: The question before the court is "Are you good" and "Would you be judged innocent or guilty if judged based on your own actions". Grace is not germane to the question.

The conclusion of the court then, is that based on my own actions, I am a sinner and stand condemned. This should be no surprise to any of us. If we understand the gospel of Christ, we should know this. This fact is one of the first things anyone learning the gospel of Christ must come to grips with. Without the firm conviction that we are sinners and are condemned to eternal hell-fire, we cannot appreciate the grace of God, nor can we feel the remorse that is so essential to repentance. Repentance is not possible until we are brought to our knees in the knowledge of our own sinfulness before a just God.

Thanks and praise be to God that there is forgiveness and grace in Christ Jesus. We cannot stand before God on our own merits. But, through faith in Christ Jesus and obedient trust in Him, we have redemption and forgiveness. God can declare us justified and, yes, good based on the righteousness that comes through faith (Romans 4:3).

-PG