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. Isaiah 64:6
We hear this saying so many times, “surely God won’t punish a good person eternally will He?” Usually, this statement is made as some type of defense for one who is unfaithful or caught up in some man made religion. First of all, good is a relative term. What you might determine as good very possibly won’t be seen as good in my eyes. For example, a farmer may look at a tractor, and based on his needs might feel it is a good fit for his farm. The next farmer might view the same piece of machinery and determine it useless because they have a completely different need. I have heard in my lifetime drunkards and adulterers referred to as “good” people. While they may have a loveable personality and display positive attributes, they are far from being acceptable in the eyes of God (1 Cor 6:9-11).
We see throughout the Bible that what God has defined as acceptable to Him is being faithful and building a life founded on His Word (Matt 7:24-27). We read of the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8) and Cornelius (Acts 10), both introduced in scripture as individuals of impeccable character, yet as we read these accounts we see both these men are instructed to be baptized. Think of it this way, these two had such “goodness” as people that the Holy Spirit made certain their reputations in community (Acts 10:2; 22) and being religious (Acts 8:28-29) were preserved in scripture. However, this was not enough. What more could they have needed? The answer is simple. They had to have the blood of Christ (Rom 6:3-4 & Heb 10:22).
God has never asked us to be good. God has always demanded faithfulness (Joshua 24:15). Many hear that and say “I can’t obtain perfection,” but that is not what is being taught. What is being taught is to be true. In being true, we are devoted and devotion brings consistency and consistency brings one to faithfulness.
God doesn’t save those who are only good but those who are good and faithful. Matthew 25:21 reads, “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
By Jason Barger