A Good Thing

As a society, we moderns believe that human beings are basically good. (For the moment, don't think about how hard this is to logically sustain given the prevalence of evil.) Deep down, we think, we're not so bad. In stark contrast, Scripture says, "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." (Rom 3:10-12) And that text is a repeat of Old Testament statements. "Now, wait," some will object. "We know people do good. In fact, everyone does something good in their life. Must not be true." I have to say, unfortunately, that Jesus disagreed. "No one is good except God alone" (Mark 10:18).

The problem, I have always contended, is in the definition of the word, "good." We keep using that word, but it appears that God doesn't think it means what we think it means. So let's consider that perspective. What is "good" biblically? Well, we have that first point already: Only God is good. Let's go with that. Just like "love is from God" (1 John 4:7) and "We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19), it would seem reasonable that the only definition of "good" is the only source of "good" -- God. And if it is true that "from Him and through Him and to Him are all things" (Rom 11:36), then this "good" would necessarily come from Him, through Him, and to Him. Thus, a more biblical definition of "good" would be that which comes from God, through God, and for God.

This helps clear up a few questions. For instance, why are we not saved by "good works"? Easy; we're not capable of "good works." The only "good works" we can do are those which God does in us and through us. And that explains how to "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matt 5:16). We don't supply those good works; He does. It also explains why our good works don't sustain our salvation. While we are certainly saved for good works (Eph 2:10), those works are ultimately accomplished because "It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Php 2:13). Thus, He is the source and the power. Thus, He gets the glory.

As humans, we have a problem with "good works." We really, really want to believe that we are good and do good. Further, we are, at our cores, pretty sure that nothing comes from nothing, that we only get what we deserve, that we need to earn our way to heaven. We Christians have stepped up from that. "No, we don't earn our salvation ... but we certainly maintain it by our good works." And Scripture disagrees. Sure, we're supposed to do good works, but that's so that God will be glorified and not so that we will be saved. Doing good isn't about us. Because only God is good. And because everything is supposed to be for His glory.