During a recent president’s sex scandal, a poll was taken where most deemed him “a good leader but not a good man.” What they were saying is that he was competent but corrupt; skillful but deceitful; a man of ability, just not of integrity. The question was raised then and is still raised (about others) today: “Can a person be a good leader but not a good person?
The Bible in 2 Peter 1 tells us to add to our faith goodness (virtue in some translations including mine-ESV). If I was to take a poll and ask people to define goodness they would probably say things like “baking cookies for lonely neighbors, helping someone cross the street, helping a stranger, giving a cup of water or a meal to a homeless person, etc. But all of those are forms of doing. But I believe that what Peter is telling us to add is not so much about doing good, but being good. It is a quality of soul that finds itself starting on the inside but extending itself to the outside in acts of mercy. Please don’t misunderstand me (or please do understand me) that when I say this, I sincerely believe that any work God does within us always finds its way outside to be demonstrated from us to others. God’s work within us was never meant to be kept to ourselves!!
This Sunday I am speaking on this subject in my series Funny Math. So…let me ask you a question. How would you define goodness? I used thoughts from last week’s responses in my sermon and will do the same if you care to join the discussion. I would love to hear your thoughts and even include them in my message.
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Delighting myself in what God loves. Doing our best to seek the character of God. Praying for you and those who will hear your good word!
Of course a person can be a good or even great leader and not a good person. The first use of the word is relative and the second is absolute. The first is based on a persons abilities, intellect and skill to produce positive results. You can be a good leader, good cook, good baseball player if the results are good. It says nothing about the goodness of the person.
I think your definition of goodness as it pertains to the person is accurate. A good person has certain attributes such as innocence, purity, compassion, justice, goodwill, patience, self control and their actions are done with good intentions.
The results of the good intentions may however be disastrous if they do not possess the skills, knowledge etc. to carry out the actions. If you decided to help an old lady cross the street, forget to look both ways, and she gets run over by a bus you could still be a good person with good intentions but a terrible crosswalk helper.
How would I define goodness? Well, you just enlightened me about BEING good vs. DOING good. To me gooodness is what you ARE, how you live, what you believe to be RIGHT. It shows through your heart, and eyes and smile. When I think of all the good people I have known that is what comes to mind. Thanks for getting me thinking about this in a differnet way! XO, Pinky
Tom: Thanks. Good way to BE.
Pinky: thanks for the input. Glad you are thinking. 🙂 You put it well when you say it is what you ARE.
Jeff: good point. I chuckled about the crossing illustration. Makes a good point also about sincerity. A person may be able to be a good leader on the surface but his lack of integrity will effect his influence I think. A person cannot be a good spiritual leader if he is not a good person though. Agree?
Yes I agree that a person could not be a good spiritual leader if he is not a good person. A person could be a great leader of a band of jewel thieves though and probably not be a good leader. And conversely a person could be a good person and not a good spiritual leader.
I would like to add that Christians are often accused of being too judgmental. I think this is because they attach the bad label to things that do not speak to the absolute definition of good but rather to actions that have meaning only in the relative sense.
In other words I think a person could cuss, smoke, drink, dance, chew or whatever and still be a good person in the absolute sense.
I have a very short list of what constitutes not being a good person. A cheater, a thief, a murderer etc.
All I could think of was Jesus saying “Why do you call me good? For no one is good.”
LOL. Maybe I’ll think of something more intelligent later. Oh, I believe someone can be a good leader but not a good person.
If an “unbeliever” would donate a kidney to save someone’s life….is that a good deed? Well…an unbeliever does nothing for God’s glory, so I would think the answer would be “no”. Now if you are asking about a “good” unbelieving surgeon vs. a “below average” christian surgeon….I’m taking the “good” unbeliever to operate on me!
Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit that only is manifested when we abide in the Vine. When we are full of His Love Truth and Spirit goodness will flow. We can’t produce goodness on our own just like a apple branch and force an apple to be produced all its own..its a product of abiding in the vine. So tired of being forced to produce fruit of my own will and strength…my abiding in a dynamic relationship with my Jesus it will just happen..its galled His grace (=
Hi Cycleguy,
I think there are differences between the principles of leadership in the world and leadership within God’s people the church. Leadership in the world seems to be all performance and results orientated. Save the company money and you will be rewarded with a promotion and leadership over more people.
Jesus’ example of leadership was to be the ‘cornerstone’ the foundation on which to build something on. Paul talks about himself being a servant and slave for the furthering of the message of the gospel. He suffered in his leadership and was not ashamed of that (in Colossians). To present everyone ‘perfect in Christ’ was what he labored for. The mystery of ‘Christ in you the hope of glory’.
The book of Colossians gives us responsibility to put off the old man, the deeds of the flesh, our earthly nature. and to Put on the new man that is ‘being renewed in knowledge’.
I’m thinking goodness can mean not being an enemy of God, but rather being on God’s side, being aligned with God. Our receiving of the gift of God’s grace and mercy for the saving of our souls from destruction. And being thankful for it.
thoughtful post, bill.
goodness is, of course, a fruit of the spirit, an attribute of christ, a characteristic of god. ephesians 5:9 says that goodness is a fruit (product) of light. the best definition/description i’ve ever seen comes from philip kenneson in his book, “life in the vine.” he writes:
“We need the kind of life that has such integrity in relation to Christ that those around us who are comfortable in their apathy, unconcern, and insensitivity will be afflicted by our very presence; and those who are afflicted by the pains and problems of life will be comforted by that same presence.”
Goodness = Does not do unto others as he expects others to do unto him. Rather, does unto others as Jesus would.