Today, the human predicament and mankind’s standards for determining “good” are in view. Through the disbelief, disobedience and distrust expressed by Adam and Eve, the makeup and spirit content of mankind as a species has been condemned as unfit to exist as a life companion of eternal divinity: All have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD. Rather than through human accomplishments, merit, obedience and self-will, the living must be accounted as “blameless” or having a portion within the divine household on the basis of atonement, propitiation for sin, and the sacred works accomplished on behalf of mankind by Jesus Christ. One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:
What does it mean to be a good man?
One deserving of love and a family and God
THE GOLDEN ARROW: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; (2nd Corinthians 1: 9-10, King James Version (KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Extravagance of Love? (04/02/2017); The Quality of Life? (03/29/2017); GOD Within Christian Believers (07/31/2016); Was David a “Good” Man? (01/13/2015); Being Good, Enough? (01/06/2015); Life Choices (12/14/2013); That Mortal Children Die? (12/15/2013)
“Anonymous”, human ideas of “good” center on things carnal, material and social. When Jesus Christ was approached by someone who addressed him as “good”, the Savior corrected him by saying, there is none good but GOD. Jesus immediately shared his own understanding that the present condition of mankind and all Creation is one of being fallen in sin, being condemned to death and elimination because of sin, and being totally dependent upon grace, intercession, and divine prerogative that may provide divine forgiveness and mercy in judgment. The goodness of GOD surpasses the finite standards of men, and therefore is spoken of in many ways. Included are adoption, blessing, free gifts, divine inheritance, covenant relationship, rebirth, redemption, salvation, and eternal life.
The lives of mortal men will be interrupted by “sleep” (we say, death), and apart from GOD, all that man seeks to accomplish and attain applying human awareness and self-will does not last, and is temporal (i.e., exists only for a brief time). Even for those “born again”, who experience death, burial, and resurrection of their inborn spirit, order, stability and success must come through struggle, “growing up again,” and the endurance of suffering.
While living on the earth, believers are to strive for their own highest goals, and the complete fulfillment of their personal potential, however, as offspring and heirs of divinity, the followers of the Lord are to display the active presence of Deity through the imparted, indwelling Spirit as an aspect of their lifestyle and living routines. Believers are to hold to eternal purposes and cooperate with the ongoing operations of GOD among the living. They are to prepare themselves to be gathered to Christ at his coming (we say, Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming) when he will harvest those who belong to him that are “ripe” (mature). Consider again the Scriptures:
(1.) Psalms 14: 1-3, King James Version (KJV): 1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
(2.) Matthew 19: 16-21, KJV: 16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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