Good vs. Righteous: What Really Matters?
Thoughts on Goodness vs Righteousness – Part II
In Would You Rather be a Good or Righteous Christian?—the first part of this series—I explained that goodness and righteousness are not mutually exclusive. We need both, and each serves a distinct purpose. In this post, I’ll take a closer look at that difference.
How does the world know that you’re a Christian? What makes you a Christian? Is it simply because you call yourself one, or because others think that you are? Too many people make that claim, but Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits...” — Matthew 7:15. Consider the following verse:
“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.”
— Romans 5:7 (NIV)
Notice the two key words: righteous and good. I’ve found that many believers don’t really know how to be good people—even though they may live right. At other times, people swing the other way, focusing only on being good or even overemphasizing it. They assume—or genuinely believe—that being good will get them into heaven. No, it won’t. God has also called us to live righteous lives.
Righteousness and goodness are both attributes of God—distinct, yet inseparable qualities of the same True God.
In the same way, God calls us to be both good and righteous. Sadly, many Christians struggle to reconcile and express these two qualities—especially in their relationships with unbelievers, and at times, even with fellow believers.
God has called us to be both righteous and good. However, let me clear something up. None of us is saved, can be saved, or will ever be saved because of any righteous or good acts we perform. Salvation is only by grace.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
— Ephesians 2:8–9
Nobody is going to get to heaven through works alone—not through any form of goodness or righteousness. Justification is only by faith.
“Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.”
— Galatians 2:16 NIV
Even though we are saved by grace through faith—and by grace alone, not because of anything we’ve done or can do, God still calls us to live righteous and good lives.
The Once Saved, Always Saved Error
There’s a dangerous doctrine being taught in some Christian denominations today: Once Saved, Always Saved. While it may be well-intentioned, it is only partially true—and dangerously misleading when interpreted to mean that it doesn’t matter how you live after you’re saved, you’ll still make it to heaven.
Anyone who teaches or believes this clearly overlooks the many Scriptures that warn against moral complacency and sinful living, such as:
“...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
— Philippians 2:12“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:12
If we weren’t required to live right and be good—and if simply accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior were all that mattered—Paul wouldn’t urge believers to work out their salvation. And if it were not possible to fall away, he wouldn’t say take heed.
In fact, Paul made that statement right after recounting how God destroyed many of the Israelites so that they didn’t make it into the promised land because of their disobedience.
Jesus Himself warned—through His teachings and parables—that those who fail to continue doing God’s will will not enter His Kingdom. For example, in the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1–14), a man who had been invited was thrown out because he wasn’t wearing a wedding garment (v.13).
Although not a perfect analogy, it’s like a college or university admission: your admission is your invitation—the first step. To graduate, you must maintain the required grades; failing to do so has consequences. Similarly, grace secures your entry, but living according to God’s will is what carries you through to heaven..
Jesus also said:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
— Matthew 7:21
Can anything be more explicit?
So, where does this destructive lie come from? From ignorance and a false understanding of Scripture. Those who teach or spread it are in grave danger themselves—for they offer false comfort to others who persist in unfaithfulness and disobedience to God.
Goodness and Righteousness Defined
Although it’s not easy to find a concise theological definition of goodness and righteousness, it’s important—before going further—to look at how these qualities are described in relation to the Christian life.
Goodness
“The goodness God’s people exhibit shows itself in various moral qualities, notably kindness... when people are good they behave decently toward each other, based on God’s goodness to them.”
— Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical TheologyRighteousness
“God’s people are righteous when they are in a right relation with him... when they are being and doing what he requires in his covenant.”
— Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
Goodness is the moral quality that mirrors God’s nature—His benevolence and kindness expressed in thought, word, and deed. It is more than moral conduct; it is the active expression of divine love, mercy, and truth, seeking the good of others in harmony with God’s will.
Righteousness, on the other hand, is the state of being right with God—both in standing and in conduct. It is imputed–granted through faith in Christ and imparted–manifested through godly living. Righteousness encompasses both justification—our declared right standing before God—and sanctification—the lived expression of that rightness in daily life.
Consider this: you’re not likely to make it to heaven if you’re only a good person, but you will if you are only a righteous person. Why? Because what God requires most from us is to do right and live right. Heaven is a home for the righteous.
Righteousness is what we do primarily toward God; goodness is what we do toward people. God sees both your righteousness and your goodness, and both matter to Him—but most people will only see whether you’re good or not.
People may not care about your righteousness, but they will care about your goodness. In fact, many won’t like you because of your righteousness—but they’ll appreciate you because of your goodness.
Righteousness is how we reflect the holiness of God and show that He abhors sin. Goodness, on the other hand, is how we show His kindness, gentleness, compassion, and mercy. A living expression of God’s goodness is what the Apostle James had in mind when he wrote,
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
— James 3:13 (NIV)
Here, James connects true wisdom with visible goodness—a life marked by humility and good deeds, not mere words or knowledge. He reminds us that only those who express goodness in their daily lives truly possess godly wisdom.
Coming Next
In my next post, I’ll focus on why God wants us to live good lives—and how our goodness magnifies His glory.