“Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food…But solid food is for the mature — for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.” Hebrews 5:12, 14
It seems simple, right? Everyone knows the difference between good and evil. “Good is what makes me happy.” “Good is freedom to live my life how I want.” “Good is the most benefit for the most people.” “Good is the removal of evil structures.” “Good is living a responsible, morally right life.” “Good is…”
To each of these we could answer, “yes, but” because each require careful nuancing to avoid dangerous distortions. In a culture that no longer agrees on what “the good” is, we must be even more diligent to “distinguish between good and evil.” We must not assume that we are mature, but rather let us seek the “milk” of “God’s revelation.”
How might we respond to the list of “the good” above? We could begin where “God’s revelation” begins. “In the beginning, God…” Do you see what is missing from each of those versions of “the good”? Jesus once said, “no one is good but God alone” (Mark 10:18). Any definition of “the good” must begin with God because He alone is good. He alone knows what “the good” really is. He alone provides a reference by which to judge whatever we may consider “good.”
Why does this matter? As our nation continues to struggle through another contentious election season, we ought not miss the deeper struggle. It is a struggle over what counts as “good.” Our voice in the midst of this struggle must continue to say with Jesus, “no one is good but God alone.” Only as we orient our lives, minds, and values rightly to Him will be able to rightly distinguish between good and evil. What greater gift can we give our neighbors now than a voice of clarity saying, “this One is truly good.”
Think These Things 