The
ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the
congregation of the righteous.
Psalm 1:4-5, Modern English Version (MEV)
One of the more difficult lessons for us, as followers of the One who is the Christ, is learning that God's standards of what is right or wrong, good or bad, are not the same as the standards the world holds to. In fact, in many instances, they can be, and most often are, completely opposite of one another. The difficulty the follower of the Christ faces is that of attempting to live according to God's standards even while we are living out our lives amid the world.
The standards of what is good are particularly vexing for us. According to the world's standards, there are many good people in this world; people who are kind, people who are generous, people who commit their lives to helping others. Yet, according to God, if these "good people" are not counted among His followers, then they, and their good works, are nothing but chaff that are blown away in the wind. Being "good" will not cause one's name to be written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
"Good" people are often blinded by their own goodness. It's not so much a problem of pride, although that can indeed be involved, but it's mostly a matter of thinking they are good enough, that their good thoughts and actions more than make up for anything wrong they've ever done. In many cases they will take this further by convincing themselves that being "good enough" will get them a pass into Heaven, if such a place even exists. These, unfortunately, are among the most difficult to take the message of Jesus to, as they can't even see their need for His saving grace.
Having said that, however, we, who are followers of the Christ, must be very, very careful that we do not condemn those who are not followers of the Christ, yet claim they are good people. At no point has Jesus given us any command, suggestion, or inference, that it is our job to judge and/or condemn anyone who is not a follower of His. We do NOT know the heart of anyone, nor do we know the mind of God with respect to His relationship, or lack thereof, with anyone. The only command, suggestion, and inference Jesus gave us is to carry Him into the world and introduce Him to the world, and the world to Him. Being a follower of the Christ is NOT a thing to make us prideful, or to feel superior to anyone else. In fact, being a follow of Jesus should make us humble before all others.
Psalm 1:4-5, Modern English Version (MEV)
One of the more difficult lessons for us, as followers of the One who is the Christ, is learning that God's standards of what is right or wrong, good or bad, are not the same as the standards the world holds to. In fact, in many instances, they can be, and most often are, completely opposite of one another. The difficulty the follower of the Christ faces is that of attempting to live according to God's standards even while we are living out our lives amid the world.
The standards of what is good are particularly vexing for us. According to the world's standards, there are many good people in this world; people who are kind, people who are generous, people who commit their lives to helping others. Yet, according to God, if these "good people" are not counted among His followers, then they, and their good works, are nothing but chaff that are blown away in the wind. Being "good" will not cause one's name to be written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
"Good" people are often blinded by their own goodness. It's not so much a problem of pride, although that can indeed be involved, but it's mostly a matter of thinking they are good enough, that their good thoughts and actions more than make up for anything wrong they've ever done. In many cases they will take this further by convincing themselves that being "good enough" will get them a pass into Heaven, if such a place even exists. These, unfortunately, are among the most difficult to take the message of Jesus to, as they can't even see their need for His saving grace.
Having said that, however, we, who are followers of the Christ, must be very, very careful that we do not condemn those who are not followers of the Christ, yet claim they are good people. At no point has Jesus given us any command, suggestion, or inference, that it is our job to judge and/or condemn anyone who is not a follower of His. We do NOT know the heart of anyone, nor do we know the mind of God with respect to His relationship, or lack thereof, with anyone. The only command, suggestion, and inference Jesus gave us is to carry Him into the world and introduce Him to the world, and the world to Him. Being a follower of the Christ is NOT a thing to make us prideful, or to feel superior to anyone else. In fact, being a follow of Jesus should make us humble before all others.
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