Who Decides What Is Good?
Who decides what is good? That is a question that has been debated throughout the centuries. Some approach this question from a lens of philosophy and ethics. Some believe the right answer is based on the majority opinion or vote. Sometimes we have strong opinions but choose to allow political, business, or other influential leaders to decide for us. There are thousands of books written by philosophers, ethicists, theologians, psychologists, and politicians that argue their research from both the past and present to convince us why their approach determines what is good.
Reading scripture regularly and thoroughly can help us with discovering an answer. In the first eleven chapters of Genesis, we discover important information that can help us determine the source of good.
As you read through the creation narrative we constantly read, “and God saw that it was good.” My goal in this devotion isn’t to convince a skeptic or non-believer but rather to remind believers that at the beginning God determined to do good. He created a beautiful universe, made man in his image, and set a way of life in place that was very good.
Of course, we know our problem is that Adam and Eve, deceived by the serpent, decided that it would be good for them to make their own decisions concerning what is good. And things went downhill from there.
In Genesis 4, we learn about a guy name Lamech who, according to the Genesis account, was ridiculously more evil than Cain. That description is right before we read that the wickedness of man had become universal, prompting God to do a restart through Noah.
But even with the restart after the flood, in just a few generations man decided they had a better plan than God and determined to create a city and tower that would allow them to live a better way with a better plan than God had put in place. Out of the goodness of God that plan was interrupted.
I have no goal of changing a non-believer’s opinion on what is good. But I do want to challenge you, as I challenge myself, to simply determine to trust that God’s plans for us are always better than any plans we can generate on our own. If you will read through the Bible this year, I believe you will see that time and time again God’s chosen people collectively believed that what they wanted to do was better than what God had provided and directed them to do.
What would happen in your life if you made a decision to place your faith in God and that what he called good is truly good for you? I think it won’t take long to see that when we trust God’s plans and not only believe what he declared is good but actually do the good he calls us to do, then we will experience joy and peace beyond anything we can imagine. And the kingdom of God would indeed spread on earth as it is in heaven.
Father, as we read your word this year, we commit to trusting you more. You are good in every way. Thank you for the beauty of the gift of the earth and all of her resources. Thank you for the gift of your Son and the new identity we find in Jesus. By the power of your Holy Spirit, we determine to follow you, sharing your goodness and your love with those around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Genesis 1:3-4, 10, 16-18, 21, 25-27, 31, 4:19-24, 6:5-22, 11:4-9 ESV
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