A False Measure of Goodness
by Clay Gentry
At a recent funeral, the preacher acknowledged that the deceased had never attended church, nor was he particularly religious. "Still, he was saved," the preacher said, "because he trusted Jesus when he was young." Rather than showing evidence of a transformed life, the preacher highlighted three aspects of the deceased’s “goodness” to comfort the family, assuring them that their loved one was in heaven.
Love of Family vs. Love of God and Neighbor:
First, the man’s love for his family was cited as evidence of his salvation. While a person’s love for their family is a good thing (Ephesians 5:33; 6:1-4), it is a natural human affection, not necessarily a spiritual fruit of a changed heart, for Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them” (Luke 6:32).
In fact, Jesus warned that love for one’s family could become a hindrance to following Him, saying, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37). The Bible’s standard for a life transformed by Christ is love for God and love for our neighbor (Mark 12:30-31), which extends far beyond our immediate family circle to neighbor and foe alike.
Hard Work vs. Kingdom Work:
Next, the decedent’s work ethic was praised as a sign of his virtuous life. Indeed, diligent work is a virtue and a biblical principle (Proverbs 10:4; 13:4; 14:23). The Apostle Paul even warned, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (I Timothy 5:8).
However, working hard to earn a living is not a substitute for Kingdom work; it’s the dedicated effort to share the gospel, build up the saints, and serve the poor, among many other things. Again, listen to Paul: “My beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (I Corinthians 15:58). The labors of this life will vanish away, but he does not forget our work for the Lord.
Loving the Outdoors vs. Loving the Creator:
Finally, the man’s enjoyment of the outdoors was used to show his connection to God. It’s a wonderful thing to appreciate God’s creation, and it can be a way to observe “His eternal power and divine nature” (Romans 1:18-21), but it can’t end there.
Having a love for creation is not a replacement for submitting to the Creator. The Bible clearly states that a relationship with God is found through Jesus, the Christ, not through nature. As Jesus Himself said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). You cannot love the Creator without knowing Him and submitting to His will (see: John 1:1-5; Colossians 1:15-23; Hebrews 1:1-4).
Don’t be fooled by a false gospel, which only produces a false hope. Worldly qualities: family affection, hard work, a love for nature, don’t define a virtuous life. We must look only to Scripture for the definition of goodness: a transformed life evidenced by love for God, obedience to Christ as King, love of neighbor, and dedication to the Kingdom. Salvation demands that a child’s commitment mature into a life of obedience.
Are you seeking a hope that is built on something more solid than a fond memory or a worldly measure of goodness? True, lasting hope isn’t found in what we do, but in what God has done through Jesus Christ.
