The World Needs More Good Christians

Thoughts on Goodness vs Righteousness – Part III

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The Nature of Goodness

The nature of goodness is that it commends you to people in ways righteousness may not. Most people won’t be drawn to your righteousness, but they are likely to be drawn to your goodness. Paul, writing to the Romans, says:

“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.”
— Romans 5:7 NIV

“Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.”
— Romans 5:7 NLT

Paul said this in the context of Jesus dying for us—even though we are ungodly and undeserving. But it’s also a truth about life: people are generally drawn to good people.

But the point I want to make from this verse is this: notice that it says people are more likely to die for a good person than for a righteous person. Why? Because your goodness is what directly impacts people. It’s the way we reflect God’s grace and God’s goodness to others.

When We Miss the Balance

If you are a Christian and people avoid you or don’t like you, it could be because you’re not a good person. You may be righteous, but you’re not good—to your coworkers, neighbors, or classmates. Sometimes Christian believers aren’t nice to others and don’t even know how to be, but when others respond in kind, they say they’re being persecuted for their faith or that they’re being hated.

If this is you, do you think they’ll want to listen to your gospel or believe in your God?

When we’re not good to people, we do a disservice to the cause of Christ. People may reject Him because of us. As Paul said:

“...God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
— Romans 2:24

Most people won’t be drawn to you because of your righteousness—but they’re more likely to be because of your goodness. It’s a fact: in the world, most people love a good person.

Christian goodness is about being people-friendly, having people skills that draw others in rather than repel them. It’s doing simple things like not always walking around with a frown—being approachable. Or greeting people, just as Jesus said:

“And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?”
– Matthew 5:47

It’s offering your neighbor or coworker help when you see they need it. It’s sharing your material goods with those who are in need.

However, this doesn’t mean you should do these things willy-nilly or allow people to take advantage of you, nor does it mean you must keep doing them for those who do not appreciate it.

Many who loved Jesus did so because of His goodness, not simply because He was a righteous man. He taught them righteousness, but He also healed them, had compassion on them, cared for them, mingled with them, and fed them.

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Goodness is God’s Standard

You may be wondering, or even asking yourself, what the big deal is with this goodness business. Let me explain. In Matthew 25:31–46, Jesus told the parable of the sheep and the goats. The sheep were those who…

• Fed the hungry;

• Gave water to the thirsty;

• Provided housing or shelter to strangers;

• Clothed the naked;

• Cared for the sick;

• Visited those in prison.

Jesus said they did these things for Him, and when they asked when they ever did them, He replied:

“...when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”
— Matthew 25:40 NLT

The goats didn’t do any of these. But notice two more things:

First, the goats—just like the sheep—had the same opportunities, but they didn’t take them the way the sheep did. And here is the question for you: What do you do when you’re presented with any of these opportunities? Whether it comes from family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, schoolmates, or even strangers—do you ignore them, pretend you don’t see them, or maybe even feel annoyed by them?

Second, when we do these things, we do them for Jesus—and He notices and rewards them.

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Two Sides of One Calling

In the simplest terms, think of righteousness as the spiritual part of you, and goodness as your human part. The Bible speaks of Lot being tormented in his righteous soul — 2 Peter 2:8 — something the Sodomites didn’t see or care about. But we also see his goodness in how he welcomed and showed hospitality to the two men (angels) who came to him in Sodom.

Goodness is how you show your humanity—your care and affection for others. It is vital evidence of your faith, the proof of a transformed life. Goodness makes the message of the gospel attractive to non-believers—and makes you socially approachable.

I see some people on social media who say they are Christians—especially those who engage in debates—but the way they speak to their opponents is far from Christlike. Jesus didn’t address His opponents that way, and you are never going to win anyone over by denigrating them morally or intellectually. We must be respectful, even when we disagree with others.

God wants us to be righteous Christians, but He also wants us to live good lives. Rarely will you see anyone’s epitaph say they were a righteous person. What’s usually celebrated is their goodness. And you also won’t see mourners or sympathizers speaking about the deceased’s righteousness at their funeral. No—they talk about the good the person did in their life.

It’s better if we are both. The world may not remember your righteousness, but it will remember your goodness.

And this isn’t about making a name for yourself or earning accolades. It’s about letting your goodness point the way to Christ—about being like Him in all His fullness.

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