No one is good – except God alone.
Mark 10:18 (TLB) “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good!
Romans 3:23 (NLT) For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Psalm 14:2-3 (NIV) The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Romans 3:10-12 (NLT) As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”
James 4:17 (NIV) If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
Are there good people? Yes, because of Christ, we are declared good!
Colossians 3:5-15 (NLT) So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you’re a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Isaiah 61:10 (NLT) I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.
Humans can know and do good things, not necessarily because they believe God exists, but because God exists. Our morality is not dependent on our belief in God’s existence, yet it is entirely dependent on the fact of His existence.
God is real, and as a result, people can be good—even if they don’t believe in Him.” – Aaron Earls