What is Good

I asked my oldest son, “Are you good?” He answered, “Yes.” I smiled, because I would say he is good too. He certainly isn’t a bad guy. He is a peaceful child and a pleasure to our family. I think we all believe this to be true of our family members and even ourselves. I mean there are some definite bad people and we aren’t like them. We are on the good side. But where do we get the idea that something is good or that someone can be good? Is there a standard for it that we have met? What is good?

A man approached Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16) Jesus replied, “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Then answered both questions: “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17) Oh no…Jesus said none of us are good. None! Only God is good. God is the actual standard of what is good. Which means we can’t meet it. We don’t even come close. He loves perfectly, we don’t. He never fails, we do. He never sinned, sadly we all have.

When we live our lives right (obeying his commandments) we are only a reflection of God’s goodness. For example, our earth’s light comes from the sun. There is no other natural light source sustaining this earth - it is the only one. Yet, the moon (made of rock and metal) reflects the sun and lights up our dark night sky. If you say someone is good then you’re seeing our good God reflected from them. God is what is good.