None Does Good, Not Even One

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Part 4 –
None Does Good, Not Even One
This episode surveys the Scripture’s bleak assessment of human ability to do good. The Biblical standard of “goodness” is perfect consistency with outwardly good works and the heart that produces them. Paul mastered the former, describing himself as “blameless” in outward keeping of the Law (Phil. 3:6), but condemns himself as a law-breaker regarding coveting (Rom. 7:7). His failure to produce good works from a law-abiding heart means that he doesn’t meet the standard of goodness. And he extends his assessment of himself to all mankind in Rom 3:12: “there is none who does good, not even one.” Christ commented that John the Baptist was the greatest man “born to woman,” but insisted those “least in the kingdom of God” were greater than he. John the Baptist, like Paul, excelled in outward manifestations of righteousness, but lacked the regenerate heart essential to producing truly good works, where outwardly “good” works flow from a heart that perfectly loves God and neighbor. Unbelievers consequently cannot produce “good” works since all works ultimately flow from an unbelieving unregenerate heart.

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  • 00:00:35 – Introduction to Good Works
  • 00:01:23 – Can Unbelievers Do Good Works?
  • 00:02:16 – Paul’s Example of Outward Righteousness
  • 00:03:59 – The Internal Struggle with the Law
  • 00:04:37 – John the Baptist: The Greatest of the Old Testament
  • 00:05:45 – Summary of Paul and John the Baptist
  • 00:06:59 – Paul’s Assessment of Mankind
  • 00:09:04 – David’s Plea for a New Heart
  • 00:10:00 – The Disconnect Between Good Deeds and Heart
  • 00:12:26 – Need for Divine Help and Grace
Part 4 –
None Does Good, Not Even One

Podcast (kingdomquestions): Play in new window | Download | Embed

  • 00:00:35 – Introduction to Good Works
  • 00:01:23 – Can Unbelievers Do Good Works?
  • 00:02:16 – Paul’s Example of Outward Righteousness
  • 00:03:59 – The Internal Struggle with the Law
  • 00:04:37 – John the Baptist: The Greatest of the Old Testament
  • 00:05:45 – Summary of Paul and John the Baptist
  • 00:06:59 – Paul’s Assessment of Mankind
  • 00:09:04 – David’s Plea for a New Heart
  • 00:10:00 – The Disconnect Between Good Deeds and Heart
  • 00:12:26 – Need for Divine Help and Grace
This episode surveys the Scripture’s bleak assessment of human ability to do good. The Biblical standard of “goodness” is perfect consistency with outwardly good works and the heart that produces them. Paul mastered the former, describing himself as “blameless” in outward keeping of the Law (Phil. 3:6), but condemns himself as a law-breaker regarding coveting (Rom. 7:7). His failure to produce good works from a law-abiding heart means that he doesn’t meet the standard of goodness. And he extends his assessment of himself to all mankind in Rom 3:12: “there is none who does good, not even one.” Christ commented that John the Baptist was the greatest man “born to woman,” but insisted those “least in the kingdom of God” were greater than he. John the Baptist, like Paul, excelled in outward manifestations of righteousness, but lacked the regenerate heart essential to producing truly good works, where outwardly “good” works flow from a heart that perfectly loves God and neighbor. Unbelievers consequently cannot produce “good” works since all works ultimately flow from an unbelieving unregenerate heart.

Episode Scripture References -

Philippians 3:6, Romans 7:7, James 2:10, Matthew 11:11, John 3:3, Romans 3:10-12, Romans 8:7, Psalm 51:10 , Ezekiel 36:26-27, Jeremiah 17:9,

More About This Episode -

Victor opens the discussion by addressing the topic of good works and whether non-Christians can perform them. He defines good works as actions that reflect an inward disposition of love for God and neighbor. According to Victor, while non-Christians may perform outward actions that appear good, they lack the inward disposition that is necessary for true good works, leading him to conclude that they cannot genuinely do good. He cites Jesus’ teaching in Luke 11, which indicates that even evil people can do good deeds, but these actions do not stem from a true love for God. Victor refers to the Apostle Paul’s experience, highlighting Paul’s outward righteousness in Philippians 3 but also noting Paul’s admission in Romans 7 that true righteousness is unattainable. Using Romans 3:10-12, Victor underscores that scripture asserts no one is righteous or seeks God, reinforcing the idea that consistently doing good is beyond human capability. Examining biblical figures like Paul and John the Baptist, Victor argues that even these exemplary individuals fell short of God’s standards due to their internal disposition. He references James to support the idea that breaking one commandment equates to being guilty of the entire law, illustrating humanity’s flawed nature. Victor concludes by stating that while outward performances of good deeds exist, they do not correlate with an inward disposition capable of fully loving God and neighbor, emphasizing that mankind is not fundamentally good. He points out that this aligns with David’s plea for a new heart in Psalm 51 and God’s promise in Ezekiel 36 for a transformative inward change.

Key Terms From This Episode -

– Central Topic: Good works and the capacity of non-Christians to perform them – Defines good works as actions reflecting love for God and neighbor – Claims non-Christians can perform outwardly good actions but lack true inward disposition – Key Points: – References Jesus’ teaching in Luke 11 about evil people doing good deeds without true love for God – Cites Apostle Paul’s experiences in Philippians 3 and Romans 7 to illustrate the unattainability of true righteousness – Uses Romans 3:10-12 to support that no one is righteous or seeks God – Examples: – Discusses biblical figures like Paul and John the Baptist as falling short of God’s standards – Mentions James on the implications of breaking one commandment (guilt of the entire law) – Conclusion: – Outward good deeds do not equal an inward capacity for love towards God and neighbor – Aligns with Psalm 51 (David’s plea for a new heart) and Ezekiel 36 (promise for transformation)

Episode Scripture References -

Philippians 3:6, Romans 7:7, James 2:10, Matthew 11:11, John 3:3, Romans 3:10-12, Romans 8:7, Psalm 51:10 , Ezekiel 36:26-27, Jeremiah 17:9,

More About This Episode -

Victor opens the discussion by addressing the topic of good works and whether non-Christians can perform them. He defines good works as actions that reflect an inward disposition of love for God and neighbor. According to Victor, while non-Christians may perform outward actions that appear good, they lack the inward disposition that is necessary for true good works, leading him to conclude that they cannot genuinely do good. He cites Jesus’ teaching in Luke 11, which indicates that even evil people can do good deeds, but these actions do not stem from a true love for God. Victor refers to the Apostle Paul’s experience, highlighting Paul’s outward righteousness in Philippians 3 but also noting Paul’s admission in Romans 7 that true righteousness is unattainable. Using Romans 3:10-12, Victor underscores that scripture asserts no one is righteous or seeks God, reinforcing the idea that consistently doing good is beyond human capability. Examining biblical figures like Paul and John the Baptist, Victor argues that even these exemplary individuals fell short of God’s standards due to their internal disposition. He references James to support the idea that breaking one commandment equates to being guilty of the entire law, illustrating humanity’s flawed nature. Victor concludes by stating that while outward performances of good deeds exist, they do not correlate with an inward disposition capable of fully loving God and neighbor, emphasizing that mankind is not fundamentally good. He points out that this aligns with David’s plea for a new heart in Psalm 51 and God’s promise in Ezekiel 36 for a transformative inward change.

Key Terms From This Episode -

– Central Topic: Good works and the capacity of non-Christians to perform them – Defines good works as actions reflecting love for God and neighbor – Claims non-Christians can perform outwardly good actions but lack true inward disposition – Key Points: – References Jesus’ teaching in Luke 11 about evil people doing good deeds without true love for God – Cites Apostle Paul’s experiences in Philippians 3 and Romans 7 to illustrate the unattainability of true righteousness – Uses Romans 3:10-12 to support that no one is righteous or seeks God – Examples: – Discusses biblical figures like Paul and John the Baptist as falling short of God’s standards – Mentions James on the implications of breaking one commandment (guilt of the entire law) – Conclusion: – Outward good deeds do not equal an inward capacity for love towards God and neighbor – Aligns with Psalm 51 (David’s plea for a new heart) and Ezekiel 36 (promise for transformation)
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