In one of his sermons, the late Foy E. Wallace, Jr. stated, “No one can be reconciled unto God without the cross. And we can be reconciled by the cross only through the Word of the cross. There is no way for the cross to reconcile us except through the Word, through the ‘preaching of the cross.’ The Word of the cross is the power that reconciles men to God.”
As one observes the religious attitude of the multiplicity of existing denominations, which substitute their Calvinistic doctrines for the Word of God, and the papal bulls and encyclicals that tout their supposed divine authority, he becomes acutely aware of how little these false institutions appreciate the cross of Christ. It should make us look seriously at the question, “Who really is a good man or woman? By this question we mean, who is a good person in the eyes of God and is reconciled to Him?
Is it a person who is highly educated? Is it a person who is powerful in political circles? Is it some Hollywood ‘dream’ man or woman? In reality, is it a relative who is dearly loved?
As we look into God’s Word, we never find that God considered an idolater a good person. Any one engaging in homosexual acts was not only not considered good, but he or she was considered to be an abomination to God. In fact, one can study the following Scripture references, and he can get a pretty good idea of one whom God considers not good (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; Revelation 21:8). If one is practicing any of these things, he can be assured that he is not good in the sight of God.
On the other hand, whom does God consider good? Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount began with what we call “The Beatitudes” (Matthew 5:3-12).
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Such persons would surely be considered as good in the eyes of God.
Since He knew who and what is good, He stated in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” In essence, Jesus recognized as good only those who were obedient to the Father. Even devout Cornelius was told that he must hear words (the Gospel) from Peter in order to have his sins washed away. In short, God considers only those who are in Christ as good. All others, those who have never obeyed the Gospel, thereby getting into Christ by their obedience to the Gospel, are not considered good in His sight. “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie” (Revelation 22:14-15). According to Jesus in Matthew 7:22-23, many on “that day” will claim to have been good, but will be told by Him, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”
On the Day of Judgment, it will be the Lord who will determine those who are actually good, and those who have practiced lawlessness. To one group He will say, “Well done.” To the other group He will say, “Depart.” In which group are you at this moment? Only you have the power to change your position. Make sure that you are in the group who has “obeyed from the heart” (Romans 6:18) the Gospel of the Christ.
