If you want a question that is on a lot of minds this is it.  It was not too long ago that I had a conversation while door knocking with a woman that stated “I pay my taxes, I give to the needy, and I keep the Ten Commandments, and for me that is enough”.  Her statement I must believe was not one that she did not have faith in but the opposite.  She thought that the only thing God requires of us is to be “good people”.  This statement is not a valid statement in what God requires of us.  However, the statement could be qualified as being “good people in the eyes of the Lord”, which would mean obedient people.

    First, and foremost it must be stated that Christ died for all and not a selection of “good people”.   (Romans 5:6-9) “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”  Christ died for us all yet we must obey him and his will through his word to enter Heaven.  (Hebrews 5:8-9) “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” 

     We can look at some Biblical examples of “good people” having to be obedient to the Gospel of Christ.  (Acts 10:1-2) “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.”  Notice that Cornelius whas a good man, he had fear, he paid his dues, and he gave to the poor.  Then we can notice by reading further along. When Peter finally arrived he spoke the word of the God.  (Acts 10:34-36) “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.  The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)”  Peter told them to be God fearing and righteous.  Is that not enough?  Look further in this great first time the Gospel is brought to the Gentiles.  They receive the Holy Spirit to show that there the Gentiles were acceptable to God.  Then what happens?  (Acts 10:48) “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”  They had to be more than good!  They had to be converted!

    How about the Apostle Paul and his righteousness.  His actions were wrong.  He thought that he was doing that which was pleasing to God.  He thought that he was defending the Jewish traditions and faith.  Read what Paul said in his defense to the people.  (Acts 22:1-4) “Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.  (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.  And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.”  Then Paul continues as we look to verses six through ten.   (Acts 22:6-10) “And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?  And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.  And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.  And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.”  Paul then was told what to do.  (Acts 22:16)  “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”  Paul had to be obedient to the Gospel.  He was a hearing, believing, repented, confessed, and baptized man.  Paul made a conviction to be what he had not been.  Paul realized that his Old Testament beliefs were truly done away in Christ (Romans 7:1-6 and Hebrews 9:15-17).  Be RIGHT and GOOD today!
 
 

Copyright 1999 by Brian Yeager may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.