The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Totally or Utterly

There is a difference between 'spiritual' good and 'relative' good. This statement is really hated by hyper-Calvinists.

1. Spiritual good: that is actually real God commanded and required good = perfect holiness/righteousness. It is to think, say and do everything out of love for God and your neighbor. Therefore, there is only one who is good, God. The incarnate Son of God was good, holy and perfectly righteous from whom the necessary righteousness required of all men is imputed to those who believe.

2. Relative good: that could be construed as an oxymoron, such as 'honest attorney', military intelligence, etc. since it is not actually 'good' as per the definition of what is really good; complete conformity to God's law from a pure heart. Yet, for lack of a better term, relative good is real, i.e., it is when someone says or does something which benefits another, e.g., giving to the poor, helping an elderly person who is in need, trying to convince someone to stop doing harm to others, etc., etc. These things are real, yet they are not in any way worthy of God's acceptance.

Thus, albeit not the most humble, kind, sacrificial believer has ever had a good thought, spoken a good word nor done a perfect deed, they are received by God due to that believer's union with Christ. Unbelievers, likewise think, say and do only evil but many do things which have relative benefit, even to believers due to God's restraining providence. It doesn't take much thought to see that the majority of people could express their sinful natures far worse. Compare yourself to Adolf Hitler, Pol Pot, Joseph Stalin or any of the wicked people who committed mass genocide over the centuries. In short, although there is absolutely no true good in anyone, there is no true evil, wickedness displayed by any human being. As Christ is the epitome of good, the Devil and all the fallen angels with him are the epitome of UTTER Depravity. Mankind is conceived in sin and is TOTALLY Depraved. Be thankful for the distinction. For if man was UTTERLY Depraved the earth would be destroyed near instantly.

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