NO, NOT ONE! -- Monday:
" . . . there is none that doeth good, no, not one . . . There is none righteous, no, not one . . . " (Psalm 14:3; 53:3; Romans 3:10,12)
While men banter back and forth about the goodness and abilities of man, the Spirit speaks on the matter with remarkable clarity. There are two views–and only two–of man presented in Scripture. The first perceives humanity from a natural point of view, apart from acceptance by God. The second looks at humanity through Jesus Christ; or, more precisely, from the standpoint of our reconciliation to God through Him. Both views are critical. The people of God are to embrace these perceptions in a firm persuasion of their truth. No other views are valid.
This particular consideration deals with humanity apart from faith in Christ–apart from salvation and the new birth. Sin has, so to speak, leveled humanity, putting everyone in the same condition. After providing men with adequate time and resources to correct their situation, the Divine assessment is handed down. "The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Psa 14:2-3). He did not look only at Israel, nor limit His assessment to the Gentiles. The same precise conclusion is again stated in Psalm 53:2-3. Jesus Himself affirmed this very truth to a rich young ruler: "there is none good but one, that is, God" (Mark 10:18). Confirming this with great power to our hearts, the Spirit states the same truth to those who are in Christ Jesus. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Rom 3:10-12). It is difficult to conceive of anything being said with greater clarity and certainty.
This does not mean that all sinners are at the same level, or that there are no sins worse than others. The Lord went down to a plain the land of Shinar with a special judgment because of a particularly reprehensible sin (Gen 11:1-7). The sin of Sodom was "very grievous" (Gen 18:20). The sin of those delivering Jesus to Pilate was a "greater sin" than that of Pilate (John 19:11). There is even a sin that is not forgivable under any circumstances (Matt 12:32; Mk 3:29), and there is a damnation that is "greater" (Mk 12:40).
Notwithstanding this situation, lesser sin does not equate with goodness. A person is not "good" because they have not blasphemed the Spirit, or have not sinned as grievously as Sodom. People have been "made corrupt" by sin, and they must be "made good" by God. Jesus said it this way, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit" (Matt 12:33). Suffice it to say, the tree can only be made good in Christ. And once a person is in Christ, the tree IS good!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, I thank You for not only revealing no one is good by nature, but how we can become good in Jesus.