No Problem, I'm a Good Person

Index

Is it true you are a good person? In order to define 'good,' we must go to One who is good. God's Word (the Bible) tells us Jesus (God the Son) is good. He lived His life without sin. Jesus said obeying God is good. If you are good, then you have always obeyed God.

Let's see if you have always obeyed God:

• Have you ever had a lustful thought toward someone who is not your spouse?
• Have you ever had a hateful thought toward another person?
• Have you ever wanted something that belonged to someone else?
• Have you ever taken something that did not belong to you?
• Have you ever misrepresented the truth?
• Have you ever disobeyed your parents?
• Have you ever put anything above God in your life?
• Have you ever disrespected God?

Have you always obeyed the commandments represented above? How do you compare with the standard of perfect obedience? According to Jesus, only perfect obedience can be classified as 'good.'

Jesus said God is the only one who is good. He also said that we must "be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). Do you meet the standard? Are you perfect like God is perfect? Since only God the Father (and God the Son - Jesus) is good, where does that leave you?

Jesus also said a person commits a sin when one thinks a sinful thought. Are you without sin in both deed and in thought? According to God's standard of perfection and without sin, are you a good person?

"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."   Acts 10:38

"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin."   Hebrews 4:15

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."   2 Corinthians 5:21

"You know the commandments, 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' "   Luke 18:20

" ... There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."   Matthew 19:17

"You have heard that it was said, '"You shall not commit adultery"; but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart."   Matthew 5:27-28

"Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God."   3 John 1:11

Don't you agree, according to God's standard, you, like every other person, cannot correctly be identified as a 'good' person?

In the Bible, this lack of perfect goodness is called 'evil' and 'sin.' It separates you from God and requires God's justice.

The just payment for sin against the perfect and infinite God is death. Unless someone pays the debt for you, your payment for sins will continue for eternity. Only God is able to pay such a price and free you from eternal punishment.

To read about God's just punishment for sin, read the article entitled, "What's the Problem?"

To read how to escape your just punishment for sin, read the article entitled, "How to Go To Perfect Peace"