We often confuse righteousness with good behavior. This is because we look at people's behaviors and compare one person with another.

We become very confused when a non-Christian's behavior seems better than a professing Christian. This is a disgrace. Righteousness, however, does not compare man with man but man with God. And not only this, God looks not only at the outward but at the inward and private heart and life.     

The straight line stands for the righteous ways of God. The crooked line stands for the ways of a non-Christian man. Notice how when the lines overlap that it appears this man is righteous. He can pride himself on this matter and even boast of it, but in fact his life does not perfectly align with God's righteous way.


  From man's perspective this man in the second chart is good. But God sees his heart. God knows that no unsaved man loves righteousness. Their social context only better rewards those with such behavior. For example, the company rewards honesty, so the employees are honest. Police enforce laws so the people obey laws. Neighbors are courteous to be accepted.

Before the fall of Adam, man naturally delighted in righteousness. He delighted in God's way. After the fall of Adam, man preferred his own way. He would sometimes live by God's way, but it was not because God said it but because of some other motive such as convenience, acceptance, reward, etc.

Discipleship #3 Library

This is a difficult truth for some to believe because of what they see. Unless they rightly understand this, though, they will regularly be confused and prideful in our spiritual lives, perhaps missing out even on salvation. Notice the pasages below.

"... As it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD" (Romans 3:10-11).

"The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."
They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;
There is no one who does good" (Psalm 14:1).

"...The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God,"
They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice;
There is no one who does good" (Psalm 53:1).

--- Purchase The Godly Man and its ten studies in easy epub or pdf format!

Sometimes we think that there are good people around us. This is not what God says. We just do not know their heart. They are not keeping God's standard. Even Cornelius who was filled with good deeds needed the Savior Jesus. Nobody is 'good' enough to go to heaven. This is why God sent the Savior Jesus Christ to save and not just to point the way.

Application
Since the fall, man does not naturally love God and His ways.

1. What about your life?

2. Do your life choices reflect God's standards?

3. What motivation do you carry out these righteous ways?

4. Why is it that you or those around you do 'good' things?

5. Do you chiefly do good things to glorify God?