Jesus, in His earthly sojourn, was the epitome of goodness, yet he felt compelled to be baptized for righteousness' sake. . ."And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3:15). Note the statement of Paul, in Ephesians 5:9. . ."For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;". Just as there is a difference between "truth" and righteousnes", there is, also, a difference between "righteousness" and "goodness". Obviously, one can be morally and socially good and goodness be his way of life, yet not righteous. Christ, by His baptism, made a statement - HE WAS NOT TO BE MERELY GOOD, HE WAS TO BE RIGHTEOUS, AS WELL!

I do not have a difficult time understanding the workings of those who are committed to the wrong, the bad. I do, however, have a difficult time understanding those who are basically good and morally sound who refuse to make a commitment to the righteousness which is in Christ (Romans 10:4-7).

The devotee of impiety: the follower of the profane; the slave to sin, is not hard to figure out - he has committed himself to the "god of this world" (II Corinthians 4:4). He is the one, very simply, who likes what the devil has to offer. That he rejects Christ is no surprise. Neither is the fact that he is rebellious to change toward a stricter level of morality. I will expect his human values to reflect his self-centeredness. "Do your own thing" is his philosophy and that, too, is no surprise.

It is the one committed to goodness who puzzles me. Many a good person has coined his own definition of "goodness" and sees it a distinct possibility separate and apart from a commitment to the righteousness which is in Christ Jesus. Time and again goodness walks through the church house doors and is challenged to give way to righteousness, yet it does not. Everyday goodness is called on to give way to righteousness, yet it does not.

The Jews of Romans 10 fame concluded they could "establish their own righteousness" and not submit "themselves unto the righteousness of God" (verse 3). Many have concluded they are free to define goodness for themselves, to establish their own brand, and so very often it does not include the Lordship of Christ.

Why not quit being good on your own terms? Why not be good on the Lord's terms? If being good on the Lord's terms asks that you repent, why not repent? If being good on His terms asks you to confess your sins and confess Him as the Lord of your life, why not do it? If being good on His terms asks obedience (even in the waters of baptism), why not do it? If being good on the Lord's terms asks involvment in His Cause and in "good works" (Titus 2:14), why not do it? Goodness, on the Lord's terms is the giving up of self. With this kind of goodness at work in your life you will have given way to the righteousness that is in Christ.