1.) Define good;
2.) Spiritually, are you more “form” or real “substance?”
Though the title was to get your attention, the questions have merit and I hope they clarify your evaluations of your current spiritual race. Perhaps it is best if we first define the word “good.” The Hebrew word for good is tob. A few of the definitions found in The complete Word Study Dictionary are: “to be happy, acceptable, to do well, right.” The New International Encyclopedia of Bible Words takes it deeper by stating:
“This simple word means “good” in the broadest sense. It includes the beautiful, the attractive, the useful, the profitable, the desirable, the morally right.
The concept that links all these uses of “Good” is evaluation. To determine the good, one must compare things, qualities, and actions with other things, qualities, and actions.
The account of the Creation introduces tob biblically as God views each day’s work and pronounces it good. God too evaluates. It is in fact because God shared His image and likeness with mankind that human beings have the capacity to make value judgements. But Sin has distorted humanity’s perceptions. (there is that perception word again!) Because of this, only God is able to evaluate perfectly. The writers of the OT were convinced that not only was God the giver and the measure of good but also that He alone knows what is truly beneficial for us and what is morally right. Only because God has shared His evaluation of good in His Word are we who rely on Him able to affirm with confidence that a certain thing, quality, or course of action is beneficial.“
I suggest the key word from the above is evaluation. Adam and Eve chose to evaluate good and acceptable apart from God’s counsel. They made an assessment according to a different set of standards: their own. This has been the root of man’s hostility with the Creator ever since. It has taken various shapes and forms, but it always comes down to this underlying motive: “I know what is right for my life and don’t need anyone to tell me otherwise.” Yet God declares: There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death”(Proverbs 16:25).
God certainly knows how easily the line between good and evil can be distorted. If it happened in the garden, how much more easily can it occur today? God warns there will be ways – behavioral patterns, thought processes, beliefs, customs, and yes, even traditions – that seem acceptable by our evaluation but will eventually prove faulty in the building of our lives, and will in time, extract its toll. The results may take months or years to appear or sometimes not even show up until the Day of Judgement. Paul says, “Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later” (I Timothy 5:24 NLT). I can’t speak for you, but the second part of that verse causes me to tremble. Not that I’m scared of God, but rather, I’m terrified to be away from Him, outside His loving presence.
The bottom line is simply this: do I truly believe God’s wisdom is perfect and trust Him for what’s best for my life? Every human being must solidify the answer to this question in their own heart. And this core conviction cannot vary from one matter to another. Either God’s wisdom is perfect in all cases in my life, or it’s flawed, and if the latter, we will consequently attempt to operate independent of Him.
So what is the standard of good we are to trust? What leads to the way of life? The apostle Paul tells us: All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (II Tim. 3:16 NLT)
Perhaps this is an appropriate time to examine several key elements of Paul’s statement.
All Scripture. Notice, it does not say some. And definitely not just the ones we like or agree with. Or those that fit with our way of thinking or believing. Be honest. Do you view God’s wisdom as right in some areas but out of date or irrelevant in other cases?
Consider Eve. She knew God was Creator. She enjoyed the riches of His goodness along with the wonder of His presence. She lived in the ultimate Garden of Eden in peace, harmony, and abundance. Yet – and this is huge! Once convinced by the serpent an area of God’s wisdom wasn’t right, she fell directly into Sin and was removed as was Adam from the garden. So, if Eve could be swayed in a flawless environment of abundance, whatever will be our protection in the midst of the corruption in our culture? Only Scripture and the promised Comforter can and will suffice!
Consider Scripture an absolute must to teach us what is true and right! Yes, it is so possible for something to have the appearance of good yet be just the opposite. You’ve all experienced concepts, assumptions, opinions, qualities, ways of reasoning and thought patterns that can seem so good and right; yet, not are all so endowed. For these hidden dangers, God has given us a complete play book (manual) so we do not unknowingly veer away from truth and be consumed with the seductive compelling bunny trails frequently leading to death. You know by now of course, the only viable playbook is the Bible. And unfortunately, as with instructions for the assembly of Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve, it is often ignored until it becomes a last resort life preserver event, requiring God’s exquisite gifts of grace and mercy. Perhaps even, again!
It is pertinent for us to ask ourselves when free from deadline stress and such chaos, am I consistently reading my Bible? Answer honestly. Recall I’ve been giving numerous invites in recent blogs to join the 2022 For LIFE family in reading The One Year Bible! Next, do I actually study it? Do I spend time searching out God’s wisdom for the specifics of my life, my family, my peers? Or do I, like Eve, just presume I’m fluent in His Word, you know, I show up all decked out in my Sunday morning sometimes fake smile (my form) too often accompanied with little or no internal “spiritual substance of merit?”
So in summary, perhaps the big question is just this: while living on this uniquely corrupted planet earth while also battling the ever conniving tempter Satan – do I really believe I am better than the historical Eve in her Garden of Eden, at understanding and obeying God’s truths, staying relationally aligned both vertically with the Trinity and horizontally with peers, community, and other Christ Followers? May God have mercy on my soul as I struggle to stay in the race!
Good or God? Why Good Without God Isn’t Enough. John Bevere Pages 29-31. My apologies to John as I exercised considerable latitude and license in editing his text this time. Just seemed appropriate as I read tonight but you’ll never know the extent unless you have a copy.
I am fully aware much of my material of late is perhaps too elementary for many of you, so on this blog I attempted to reintroduce the basics with a different twist. John Bevere has an amazing testimony and God has richly blessed him and his family as world class faith facilitators with their renown Ambassadors International organization. I do admit though I occasionally will swallow hard at times when reading some of his writings, and having read most of his books, I know that is rare and I’m deeply indebted to John and owe him much gratitude for his teaching, wisdom, and encouragement that he has imparted to me over the years.