Have you ever heard someone say, "I think people are basically good"? Maybe you've heard this sentiment in a movie or tv show, or spoken by a celebrity or even a news commentator. The thought is a common one, and in one sense, it may be true. If we define "good" as not raping and killing people, then we might at least get away with saying that MOST people are basically good. But is this the way that "good" is defined?
If God truly exists and is the source of all good, than he defines good and our opinions about what we collectively think good means won't matter.
In quoting various Old Testament verses(Psalm 14:1-3, 1 Kings 8:46, Psalm 130:3, 143:2, Proverbs 20:9, Ecclesiastes 7:20) Paul paints a brutally honest portrait of the natural human condition. This is the state of things when God does not intervene and clean up the mess you and I have made and continue to make of our lives:
We are not in good standing with God. We don't understand what God teaches or have any interest in finding out who God is. We have turned away from God and live pointless lives. None of us do anything good. Corrupt and rotten words and ideas are constantly coming out of our mouths. We repeatedly lie to each other and hurt each other with our comments. We express hatred and festering bitterness to each other. We are quick to start fights and even kill. Our natural patterns lead to destruction and pain, both emotionally and physically. The idea of life lived in contentment is foreign to us. We don't have any respect or reverence for God.
This assessment might seem pretty harsh, given that we may not know anyone who seems to fit this description. But Jesus provides insight to God's perspective on goodness. He taught that anger is often equal to murder and lustful thoughts are equal to adultery.(Matthew Chapter 5)
Likewise, God said to the prophet Samuel that "man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
Jesus said that "no one one is good except for God alone". (Mark 10:18)
Isaiah said that even the good things we attempt to do are like filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) The phrase "filthy rags" literally refers to "menstrual cloths". Think of a used tampon and you'll get an appropriate image of our individual attempts at being "good".
If this is true, if God's standard is so vastly higher and different from ours, then the comparisons we make to ourselves and others to decide what "good" is need to be thrown out the window. We should acknowledge that we may have no idea what it really means to be "good". Every single one of us falls hopelessly short. Regardless of religion, sexual practice, ethnicity, political leanings or culture, we are all in the same boat unless God fixes our mess.
Next Week- How God makes it possible to "clean up our mess".
Coffee House Question- Why do you think it is so difficult to acknowledge that even our "goodness" is vile and disgusting? Why is it so important for us to feel as though we are "basically good"?
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