"No one does good, not a single one." What???? Ok, I'm keeping it short and sweet today and I'm gonna ask you to do a little thinking. Here goes. What do think David is talking about here in Psalm 53 when he tells us there is none that does good--not even one? If you're anything like me you want to respond with But I think I'm a pretty good person so this can't refer to me. But does it? Let me hear you. Tami W.
April 23rd
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It pretty much sounds like you and me, we are in the same boat. We can't see each other, but we are there.
Yes I believe it's very clear to me, that there is nothing I do good. But the good news is, by Faith, by the Grace of God, the Holy Spirit is within me, and therefor I can do good. Praise God for that He send the Holy Spirit to be within me.
P.S. Thank you all very much for all your Prayers.
God Loves you.
I think of the verse in Isaiah that states our righteous acts are filthy rags - our best "good" is nothing compared to the holiness and goodness of God - when I reflect good, I am reflecting Him.
As illustrated in the Garden of Eden, we are a broken people bent toward sin - in and of ourselves there is no good. When we say, "I am a good person" we refer to our deeds and our thoughts. Our deeds DO NOT make us good as the Word tell us, and our thoughts are NEVER pure. Our only goodness comes to us through the Grace of God by faith in Jesus himself and the promises put forth to us for salvation. The only GOOD news = Christ is Risen !!
We all like to think we are basically good people. That we are in some way pleasing God by our acts of "goodness." The fact is, as the Word says, "without faith, it is impossible to please God." It is only through the mercy of His Holy Spirit that we can even, through faith, attempt to do His bidding. That is, to serve others and love others as we are loved by Him. So in conclusion, we are incapable of any "good" apart from His mercy because we were born with a sin nature. Praise God for the redemptive act of Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross! It replaced our sin nature with the power of the Holy Spirit to be transformed into obedient servants capable of living a life pleasing to Him!
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Rom 3:23
My daughter has fostered twins from birth. Now they are 18 months. Yesterday she told me "If you don't believe in original sin you will now. One twin is biting and the other one is butting heads."
Sin is in us and it is only by the grace of God and faithful parenting that we all don't end up biting and hurting each other.
I know that means me as well. God's word speaks about my righteousness as being a filthy rag, it tells me I fall short of His glory. How could I be any more since sin dwells within my flesh. David was aware of his own heart and how he sinned against God, I believe he included himself in that statement.
Jesus made a comment when He was called 'good teacher'; He stated that none is good except for God. If Jesus would not accept being describe as good, then I know that I can not call myself so.
Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
I so wish I could stand before God and state that I am a good person, but in shame I acknowledge how wretched I truly am. I could pet my ego with flattering comments that are made to me by younger women, but God alone knows how wicked my heart is and how even it hides things from me that could cause me to think I am a good person. In the world's standard of what is good by comparison I could deceive myself in believing I am good, but lining myself up against what God says is good is a different story. My every thought, word and deed would have to line up with what God says is righteous and I messed that up right out of the womb. I was born in sin. PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!! How merciful and righteous He is that through Christ I am righteous. Only through Christ can I have that place and stand in the presence of my God. Is there any greater gift?! Christ did it all. I can never be good enough and because of Christ I am justified before God. I can relax in that and joyfully serve God with a happy heart because I am not under a task master, but rather serving a King who loves me and has my welfare at heart.
Good afternoon Tami,
We all are corrupt without Christ Jesus. Not worth anything, selfish thru and thru. And only if we abide in him will we be able to do as Romans 12-2 says.
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. ,
Thank God for his Grace and mercy that he poured out for us through Jesus.
As Jesus said at the end of John 8:11 Go and sin no more.
He tells us how, but how many of us have done it. Not me.
We still fall short even with the Holy Spirit in us. The word that says in Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I believe this to be true. But it has to be through Christ, not through me.
Living in this fallen world is like a magnet to steel. The world being the magnet, and we are constantly being pulled toward it. So I choose to work toward being “Gold”, (renew my mind) which the magnet has no effect on. And this will enable me to do all things through Christ. I have learned that Changing the steel in me to Gold (renew my mind) will be a long process and most likely will still not get it done during the rest of my time here in this world I live in. But never the less I will trod on, Trusting Jesus to show me they way.
God Bless
Jerry
I have read all your comments and just want to thank all you who commented. It really helps me to understand all that I have read, I mean I understand but it help me to look deeper and I just want to thank all of you. I so consider myself a baby of the bible, still learning so so much, and it seems like you all know so so much already. I long to be able to read and be able to get the deep thoughts like all of you do. Thank you again for the help you may not even knew you gave me.
God Bless.
Theresa
A heart which rules out the existence of God is corrupt and foolish. They ultimately end nothing Good. Their ways are away from God and seekiing other than the needy i.e.God.
If we ignore God and do anything good is like a filthy rag before God.
Good or bad is decided not by our thoughts but by our heart when filled by the Holy Spirit and His Word. He shall teach His will and mould our deeds and thoughts.
Praise God
Mohan
We all fall short of the Glory of GOd. It seems like the good I want to do I don't do but the bad I dont want to todo I end up doing. But thank God for Jesus Christ our Lord!!!