230611-Bible-Absolute-Good-Revisited.txt

People want to be "good". Considered as good. Seen as good. Maybe even applauded as good.

Yet, who defines good?
What do people call good? What examples in society are considered good? What's better? How about commonalities of good across multiple societies? Meaning, in every culture, what do people see universally as unquestionably good?

Examples:
People that are successful? Not everyone that's successful is the epitome of society.
What's better?
People that care about other people? Nearly everyone cares about someone else at one point.
What's better?
People that work tirelessly? Not everyone who works tirelessly does so for others.
What's better?
People that fight for their rights? Not everyone that fights for their rights would willingly put aside their own rights.
What's better?
People that love peace? Not everyone that loves peace will defend for it.
What's better?
People that give up something for benefit to someone else? NOW we're getting somewhere!
Consider soldiers and law enforcement officers who take a bullet for a brother in arms.
Consider firefighters who succumb to smoke inhalation, heat, and fire to rescue a stranger.
Consider mothers who shield their child in an accident, taking the impact upon themselves.

How true then is the phrase, "Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down his life for his friends." Who said this? Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who was later bullied and beaten, sacrificed and crucified, yet He went willingly, for the good of many.

Perhaps some will say, "That was thousands of years ago. How does that apply to us now?"

Examine the life of Jesus, His stated motives, and the outcomes of His actions.
Clarify your understanding of what "good" really means.

Problem: Many of us, myself included, are used to and accustomed to, competition as a normal way of life. Without competition, how do we discover: 1) who's the best? 2) can we get better? and 3) who cheats to win, versus who plays fair to win? 

Instead, at least briefly put aside the aspect of competition in your mind and your pursuits, and instead consider: teamwork, interdependence, trust. These characteristics are found in groups who agree to accept, to plan, and to act towards a unified purpose.

What "good" unified purpose(s) could people agree to act upon?

Consider the saying, "Love thinks no evil." At the least, this statement implies zero malice from you towards everyone around you, everyone you know. This aspect of thinking then also drives your designs, your plans, your purposes.

Is then love a best "good"? Yet to love, with no malice, gets in the way of competition, among other things. Those soldiers who take a bullet, they do so for a "brother". This is just one example of Brotherly love, which then includes self-sacrifice. Not everyone has to throw themselves on a grenade, do they? What of day in, day out, putting the other person first? That is a different sacrifice, but perhaps no less important. How much did Jesus do in His lifetime, putting the other person first, teaching truth, not gaining wealth for Himself but feeding and healing and helping many many other people, while at the same time perfectly resisting the accusations and plans of powerful men who wanted to destroy Him? 

Examine:
What was Jesus' reputation, in public? It varied, depending on who you talked with. 
(find Scriptural references)


What was Jesus' character, in private?