Just A Good Person
Some may be under the impression that there is no need for God. However, some of those people believe in being nice and loving to others and considerate to all. But I would ask those who live by that philosophy, what is your true motive behind acting that way towards others? Is it just to spread positivity? Is it to show how love always wins? Is it to make an impact that will hopefully change lives and the world today? Well, if those reasonings are your motive that’s great! What that really tells me is that you are open to Christianity more than you think.
Therefore, here’s another question to ponder, why not do those things for a greater good, purpose, and Power then? If you are still trying to work towards those things apart from God, it is not making a lasting impact. Why? That is a good question. The answer is because even a human’s good action is tainted, or stained, by sin and human fault. This can also be referred to as “original sin” meaning that we are “stained” from sin right from the beginning. I am going to go into verses and reasonings as you read along, so stay with me! Galatians 5:17 gives us insight, as it is written, “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh..” Another is, Titus 1:15 which explains how “To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.” In both these verses we get to understand how apart from God, who is pure and good, even a human's good intention is not good. Mark 7:21-23 goes even further in telling us, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immortality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” You may read all those characteristics, and like me think, “wow those are horrible, I’m not that bad.” Well, we would be wrong. Those things are at the root of every human being when we aren’t rooted in Jesus.
Jesus is the greater good, the greater purpose for living well, and the greater Power to live for!
For those people who believe in spreading positivity, love winning, and lives changed, they are actually on the right track. What they have to get is that all of those things are biblical and are really what God is about! In order to actually do anything good you need to know the source of all goodness! Mark 10:17-31 tells a story of a young rich man who is trying to get to heaven on his own good deeds. Jesus answers in verse 18 saying, “..No one is good except God alone.” We can do nothing good when we are just operating out of our own will and love. When you believe in God, and receive His Spirit, you will bear good fruit. You will have a lasting impact, and you will have a secure future!
Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
All of those fruits, or attributes, we can not produce, or operate out of, unless our motive involves God! Hmm that sounds a lot like spreading positivity to others. However, when you choose not to follow God, you are so far from anything good as “no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:12). Don’t you want to receive the gifts that are better than anything that we can produce left to our own sinful abilities? Don’t you want to believe in there being something more than you just doing the best you can while you live and then life just ending when you die? Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In addition, Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes, “For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” God knows that our good is not good enough. He knows that fact so much that He sent His son Jesus to gift every person with the ability to be forgiven and bear good fruit as a result of Jesus’ action! In addition, our deeds actually get to mean something and make an impact as we are promised eternal life and rewards in heaven! 1 Corithians 15:58 encourages us by saying, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” You see, God is love (1 John 4:8) and since God sent His Son to come and live, die, and rise to defeat sin, death, and the devil, then yes, Love does always win!
So, for the person who just wants to do good and be left alone: choose to believe in God, and as you follow Him, you will be able to do more than you ever could on your own knowing that He is the source of every good thing! As a result, you can be more than just a good person, you can identify as servant of the Most High and a child of the King! Only then, will you be able to make a lasting impact as you spread the Good News, the gospel, which is positive for every person. Find purpose in all you do while you begin to be a living testament of Love winning!
