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Days following the shooting in Orlando, I have read comments from the families of all the victims. The common thread is that each of them claims that their deceased loved one was "a good person." Interestingly, I also read some interviews of the gunman's father. Here is a quote from the Los Angeles Times, "Seddique Mateen still thinks of his only son as a 'good boy.'" This comes as no surprise, we hear it every time there is a tragedy...from both the families of the victims as well as the families of the perpetrators.
So, this brings me back to a thought I toss around quite often. If the Bible says that there are none good except God (I'm assuming that means "completely good"), what is the deciding factor of whether or not we consider a person to be a "good" person (generally...meaning, they tend to do "good" things)? I think it is safe to say that everyone we know has done a "good thing" a time or two. What does that mean about human nature as a whole?
Well, I would say that a lot of it simply has to do with upbringing. Our parents taught us what was right or wrong according to their definition. Most of us agree on basic morality whether we are atheist, Christian, or any number of religions. Really, the ability to do something that is "good," by that definition, has nothing to do with what a person believes about God. So, to that, my answer to the survey above would be "D" (the last option in the list). I believe any of us can do things that are good or bad (I'll not bore you with all the examples that are going through my head).
I'm not bringing a lot of research, statistics, or even Bible verses into this article. It is just a simple point that I am trying to make in light of any understanding I do have about the Bible and common sense. However, I do want to leave you with one passage of scripture for you to consider:
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
The clear fact is that, whether you do good things or not, it has no bearing on your soul. The Bible makes it clear that without faith it is impossible to please God. The only way to be saved is to put your faith in the God of the Bible and the finished work of His Son on the cross. Unfortunately for many, if they reject Christ and fail to put their trust in Him, they are condemned to an eternity of God's righteous judgment on their sins (even their "righteous" works which were as filthy rags).
So my conclusion is that we shouldn't be afraid to say that a person is a "good person" (in the sense that they do good things), but even "good people" go to hell for their wickedness. Our only hope is accepting Jesus as our Savior, thereby pleasing the Father by our faith alone. It doesn't make us any better of a person than the atheist next door...but it means we are covered by the righteousness of the only COMPLETELY good Person--Jesus Christ.
So, this brings me back to a thought I toss around quite often. If the Bible says that there are none good except God (I'm assuming that means "completely good"), what is the deciding factor of whether or not we consider a person to be a "good" person (generally...meaning, they tend to do "good" things)? I think it is safe to say that everyone we know has done a "good thing" a time or two. What does that mean about human nature as a whole?
Well, I would say that a lot of it simply has to do with upbringing. Our parents taught us what was right or wrong according to their definition. Most of us agree on basic morality whether we are atheist, Christian, or any number of religions. Really, the ability to do something that is "good," by that definition, has nothing to do with what a person believes about God. So, to that, my answer to the survey above would be "D" (the last option in the list). I believe any of us can do things that are good or bad (I'll not bore you with all the examples that are going through my head).
I'm not bringing a lot of research, statistics, or even Bible verses into this article. It is just a simple point that I am trying to make in light of any understanding I do have about the Bible and common sense. However, I do want to leave you with one passage of scripture for you to consider:
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
The clear fact is that, whether you do good things or not, it has no bearing on your soul. The Bible makes it clear that without faith it is impossible to please God. The only way to be saved is to put your faith in the God of the Bible and the finished work of His Son on the cross. Unfortunately for many, if they reject Christ and fail to put their trust in Him, they are condemned to an eternity of God's righteous judgment on their sins (even their "righteous" works which were as filthy rags).
So my conclusion is that we shouldn't be afraid to say that a person is a "good person" (in the sense that they do good things), but even "good people" go to hell for their wickedness. Our only hope is accepting Jesus as our Savior, thereby pleasing the Father by our faith alone. It doesn't make us any better of a person than the atheist next door...but it means we are covered by the righteousness of the only COMPLETELY good Person--Jesus Christ.
