A God that leads to good

“America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” 

- Alexis de Tocqueville ?

Although used by numerous presidents over time, the lead quote from America’s quintessential historian appears to never have been spoken by him. The notion itself whether uttered by de Tocqueville or not has certainly been a rallying cry of our nation’s perception. Believing in the justice of American actions or challenging certain pursuits thought to tarnish that goodness has often been America's consciousness.

American exceptionalism in the world has run both aflame and afoul at periods in ways similar to the Roman Empire and other powers of the past. 

The reality is that our idea of “good” is as jaded as all other humanistic attempts to define the meaning of the word on our terms. If we as humans are intrinsically “good” then why do we die? That is not the direction I wish to take this brief article but just notating my need for a savior now to face the good afterlife. Certainly, it is true there are earthly/material foundations that are good to hold in high standing to be a prosperous nation. Those endeavors will only go so far as they always fail over time because human nature cannot uphold them forever. That means we should pray and pursue times of refreshing as God is so merciful to grant them to us.

I understand the sentiments of a majority of Americans in the hopes of an administrative course correction beginning next January. As Christ followers, we are called to pray for our leaders no matter the party in power. Earthly empire and glory are just as fleeting as George C. Scott said it was in quoting General Patton to close out the Academy Award-winning film of 1971.

The global setting America finds itself in may be the last years of human government before the return of Jesus. The stage is set for further biblical prophecy such as the third temple erected in Jerusalem and the great tribulation to come. There are no guarantees of a wellspring of prosperity from any government authority or faction in our days. We should intercede for such times, all the while not burying our heads in the sand to what may be devastating consequences of our sins arriving soon.

Who truly is good?

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 

• Mark 10:17-22

So what is going on here within the context and key point of the verse? Jesus does not want to be called, “good” he wants to be called “God” because only God is good! The God-man who came to provide salvation for all who would believe and follow him is still reaching out to people today in similar fashion. When we read Mark 10:17-22, we see what may be the best of the best of us all in this man asking Jesus what he must do to be saved. Notice the man’s assertion that he has faithfully followed the areas of the law mentioned, and Jesus never corrects him! 

It is no coincidence that this particular person is the man who Jesus states, “You lack one thing”. If that is me trying to justify myself before Jesus I fail completely as I hear God say, “there are thousands of things you lack!” It does not matter if it is one thing or thousands of things we lack, only Jesus can cover us with his righteous blood and declare us “good”. Goodness is only identified in God and only bestowed to others through Jesus Christ.

The one thing the man lacked was his love of riches and when trying to justify ourselves by good works to God, there is always going to be failure. Jesus loved this man as the scripture indicates, and his response was directed at helping him see his need for God. The wealthy man did not perceive the offer from God standing right in front of him and walked away “sorrowful”, loving his riches instead. 

Notice the way Jesus responds to a man named Zacchaeus differently;

Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 

• Luke 19:8-9

  
  

Why didn’t Jesus tell Zacchaeus selling half of his riches was not enough, and that he had to sell everything as he did the wealthy man diligently trying to be good? Zacchaeus identifies Jesus as “Lord” and willingly confesses his sin leading to a changed heart and attitude. Zacchaeus isn’t trying to express his dutiful adherence to the “good” that he doesn’t have, he instead demonstrates by his declaration to help the poor, a heart changed and repentant from being in the presence of Jesus. 

Living in the righteousness of God and not our own manufactured goodness, leads to the good that God desires to do in us. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). 

The biggest need in America is not our misguided visions of what “good” is or lust for earthly wealth. We need to see how much we lack and fall woefully short without Jesus. I cannot help but think we may be receiving a final knock on the doors of our hearts to let Jesus Christ, the author of creation to rule in us. In too many ways, much of the American Church looks like the one in Laodicea from Revelation Chapter 3. 

I share in the book, “Voice Like A Trumpet” how the very mercantile success the Laodiceans were proud of is alluded to by Jesus as idolatry. In view of that, consider comments around the circumstances from Revelation 3:20 addressed to Laodicea;

“I stand at the door and knock”, so all who will heed his voice and open the door may jointly eat together with him, states Jesus. Fellowship together with the Lord and the coming banquet of the wedding supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9) is proverbially on the table for Laodicea. Certainly, the proposition to Laodicea is directly symbolic of coming to the Lord now, in diligent acceptance of the change of course he requires. The God of creation and love, the one who holds all things together by his word is standing at the Laodicean Church door and knocking. May we dwell on that for a moment, because Jesus is trying to get inside the hearts and minds of the very people in Laodicea meeting in his name” (Voice Like A Trumpet).

There is a vast need for many in the American Church to open the door to Jesus and if I am being honest, I too am struck personally to heed the same call. Jesus knows how to cleanse us from sin and empower us to repent of our lawless acts to then live for him. A great eternity awaits all who follow Christ when Jesus returns to rule on this earth. Let us temper ourselves in attributing a God-like goodness to people, while at the same time, recognizing our need for the righteous goodness of God in the Church. A divine love and goodness that went to the cross for you and me.

A true quotation from the great historian here is a mirror we all must gaze into;

“Society is endangered not by the great profligacy of a few, but by the laxity of morals amongst all.” 

― Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America.

I cannot function morally by my own wayward nature but by exchanging my sin for the righteousness of Jesus, he can bring everything holy from him to produce in me. 

All we have to do is unbolt the door and invite the author of all goodness into our lives.

• Joe Schlabach