Being a Good Person

August 19, 2018

Jesus Ruins Everything
Being a Good Person

We can get so obsessed with the idea of “being a good person”

Morality definition:
A particular system of values and principles of conduct, 
specially one held by a specified person or society.

Who ultimately defines what morals are?
- I decide my own morals
- I compare myself to someone else
- I compare myself to my society
- I compare myself to the rest of the world

'What Makes a Good Person' in USA Today:

"The truth is that when you're talking broad strokes, no matter where you look, people value similar traits in character,” said David Pizarro, a Cornell University professor who studies moral reasoning, judgment and emotion.  Evidence suggests we’re all born with some innate sense of morality and fairness, which makes us sensitive to the distress of others, Pizarro said."

So, he says that everything points to us being BORN with morals. We’re born with a sense of right and wrong.  It has to be put in to us by a creator.

Matthew 19:16-17a
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good.

Jesus is saying that if you’re trying to achieve being a good person, that’s not something you can achieve. No matter what you try, you can’t do anything to EARN it.

Matthew 19:17-21
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good.  If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

What Jesus is doing, is setting the morality bar high. We know from Jesus’ other teachings, that He’s not only telling him not to do these things,
 but to also not do them in his heart.  They’re impossible to pull off.

20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Jesus is looking this guy in the eyes, and his challenge to the man is to leave the stuff he loves more than anything in the world and start a personal relationship with Jesus.  He said, “There is only One who is good." and that man is Jesus.  In this verse, he is given 2 options to achieve perfection: be perfect, which is impossible, or follow Jesus, the One that is perfect.

Communication Card
- I will let God define what is good in my life.
- I want to talk with someone about letting God have more control of my life.
- I want to be a part of a life group this semester.