Why do we seek goodness? Probably because most people look at a Christian life and see some forms of goodness and that is appealing to them. Most people think that Christians are good people. In addition, most Christians portray their lives as being largely good. They hide the bad and showcase the good. The problem is that when people seek after 'goodness' usually all they find is behavior modification and and a perpetual list of "Do this" and "Don't do this."
The solution is to seek holiness, seek truth, seek righteousness through justification (all of which are only obtainable through Christ). In the long run goodness may be found, but more as a byproduct than as the intended goal.
1 Peter 1:13-21
13 Therefore, g preparing your minds for action, [1] and h being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, i do not be conformed to the passions j of your former ignorance, 15 but k as he who called you is holy, you also be holy l in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, m “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you n call on him as Father who o judges p impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves q with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you r were ransomed from s the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but t with the precious blood of Christ, like that of u a lamb v without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but w was made manifest x in the last times for the sake of you 21 y who through him are believers in God, z who raised him from the dead and a gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
About Me
Husband to 1 wife, daddy to 4 kids, ravenous consumer of peanut butter.
Identities
2 comments:
I hadn't read these posts until today. The direction of the pursuit of truth, rather than the pursuit of goodness draws us deeper into God and the true realities of life. The goodness issue often is put aside by grace. The question, usually unspoken, "If I am saved by grace, why do I need to be good," was asked in my Sunday School class one day. I have to admit that I had never really resolved the question in a way I could put into words, but at the moment God reminded me of Ephesians 2:10. The answer satisfied the person at the time, but still the need to define goodness remains. Truth of course, does answer the question, because if searched to the end, one finds Jesus. In this pursuit, I have studied "things that endure forever." A KJV search for "endureth for ever" turns up 52 relevant verses. In the 52 instances, 41 of them say "mercy" endures forever. Other versions use "steadfast love" in the place of mercy. The remaining eleven things that endure forever are: His truth, righteousness, judgments, praise, name, and word. Did I hear you say, "Being a good ole' boy" isn't a criteria for going to heaven?
Donna, I believe that is what you heard me say.
Post a Comment