Are good people as good as they like to think?
Scripture reading: Matthew 7:9-12. Text: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether GOOD or BAD.” 2 Corinthians 5:10. In our Scripture reading, Jesus makes a sharp contrast between GOOD and BAD: “every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” Matthew 7:17-18. Apostle Paul also makes it clear and important how our lives will be judged. Please see our text. In our daily conversation, as we talk about others, we often assume the role of a judge and pronounce the verdict: he/she is GOOD, or he/she is BAD. How true and objective this evaluation is, it can be justly challenged and debated!
SOME GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED BY YOU.
According to the New International Version, the word “GOOD” occurs 555 times in the Bible and the word “BAD” only 60 times and this shows the positive approach of God’s word. Our Lord did not hesitate to call somebody good: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:21.
Would you agree that these general observations are correct?
Good: It is easy to get used to whatever is good, favorable and comfortable, however, it is hard to accept and tolerate bad, and we hope it will be over soon.
Good: From good even much seems to be little, however, from bad and painful even a little looks like we have received too much.
Good: Good develops because people are good, or it is good people’s doing, however, bad happens because the leaders were unwise or the circumstances negative.
Good: We expect a greater portion from good and nice, (where is my fair share?) however, others are expected to help us to bear the pain, suffering, and loss.
Let us honestly search for acceptable answers to these questions:
Are good and bad separated by a sharp, thin line, or there is a gradual transition between the two? For example: very good, good, almost good – neutral situations slowly approaching the other side – almost bad, bad, very bad.
Does good counterbalance bad with equal amount? If you have one enemy, you need many friends to break even because hatred is much stronger than love.
If we are irritated and angry when things go bad (Murphy’s Law) will we be thankful and grateful when we enjoy prosperity, peace, happiness, and easy-going life? Have you always been good? What is juvenile delinquency? When the youngsters are doing the same what their parents had done 30-40 years ago. (We are parents, too.)
Are there absolute norms or standards through centuries what is good or bad? Or, are good or bad relative, subject to change according to time, place, and circumstances?
Is it possible to be or remain good in critical situations, life threatening danger, self-defense, war, or catastrophic disaster?
To whom or what do you compare yourself and also your neighbor? Are we using the same yardstick all the time to evaluate our friends and enemies? (The neighbor’s children are worse than ours; and our problems are bigger than that of our neighbor. If a pastor is liked he/she cannot do wrong, however, if the pastor is disliked he/she cannot do anything right.)
Is it enough when most of the people say: “Even if I am not good, at least I try not to be bad?” If I do not hurt, harm, disappoint anyone, is that sufficient to be considered good? Why should I be better than others are, or do more than my neighbors are doing?
Two Bible quotations will help us to approach GOOD from spiritual viewpoint:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8, and “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians. 3:12.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.