It’s All Good…Or Is It? by Zack Fugate

  Posted on March 30, 2019  by   No comments

“…Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”-2 Corinthians 4:16-18

We live in a world that is perpetually focused on convincing each of us that the concept of things that are considered “good” can be treated as universal and worldly. For example, think of a recent time when you have heard a person utter the words, “It’s all good…” or, “Well, to each his own.” While they are often clouded with dreary stories, news channels are also peppered with stories of heroism, good deeds, and celebratory moments. It is critical that we do not get caught up in the lie that constantly tickles our eardrums…the lie that good can and does exist apart from the Lord. As followers of Jesus, it is important for us to clearly understand and consider that God is good, and that all good comes from him. James 1, verse 17 states, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” What is truly good is of God and brings him glory.

Perhaps the biggest challenge that we face is wanting to believe that we ourselves are good. As Pastor Tony shared in a recent teaching, we often try to convince ourselves that we can be good and do good things of our own volition. While it might sound harsh, we are not good apart from the Lord, and we are not sufficient. Consider the reply that Jesus gave to the man in Matthew 19:16-17. After the man asked Jesus what good thing he could do to gain eternal life, Jesus answered, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only One who is good.” Brothers and sisters in Christ, we must find ourselves humbly at the foot of the cross lest we start believing that we can somehow find salvation in our own self-righteous actions. We must turn to Jesus and ask for him to intervene on our behalf; for it is the gift through his great sacrifice that offers us eternal life.

“…For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”-2 Corinthians 4:18

As we seek to continue to work out our own salvation as we are so lovingly instructed to do in Philippians, let us remain focused on those things that are eternal. Let us consider what is truly good in the eyes of the Lord and seek him with every fiber of our being. For he will complete the good work he began in each of us as we partake of his grace.

Your Brother in Christ, Zack Fugate