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.
Do Good, But NOT For God’s Sake
Building off of the last program, this episode enumerates several Biblical examples where unbelievers, based on natural endowments, divine influence and/or self-interest, do in fact produce externally good works. God has given all men a natural desire to take care of their children, so "evil" men give "good gifts." (Luke 11:13) God can lay His agenda on the heart of kings, even to the point where they're "anointed" to do His will (Cyrus, Isaiah 45:1) Lastly, the unjust judge in Luke 18:4-5 ended up rendering justice to a destitute widow, just to get put an end to her persistent nagging. Yet none of the above "good" works meets the standard of good works according to God, where outwardly good works flow from pure love of God and neighbor. This episode answers a common query over the possibility of good works, especially among nonbelieving philanthropists.
Half Good Ain’t Good Enough
This episode sets the Biblical standard of goodness, where outward manifestations of goodness are consistent with the heart from which they come. Extrinsic goodness flows from intrinsic goodness, and God alone meets that standard. "You [God] are good and do good" declares Psalm 119:68. The test of intrinsic goodness is the great commandments, perfect love of God and neighbor, and Christ Himself noted that no man meets that standard. So the Biblical high standard of good works is the marrying of intrinsic goodness with outward manifestations. Regarding the latter, unbelievers can in fact do externally good works. Christ acknowledged that "evil" men can give "good gifts." (Luke 11:13) Yet this "good work" does not reach the standard of goodness that God deems a "good work," since it emanates from an evil heart.
The Foundation of ‘Goodness’ and ‘Good Works’
On the way to properly answering the question, this initial episode addresses an even more fundamental question: can believers do good works? The answer provided by Scripture is a resounding yes, but the basis from which Christians can do good works is entirely the finished work of Christ. Ephesians 2:10 declares that "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works." Good works stem from being "created in Christ Jesus," which itself is a work that God did in response to faith in Christ, "by grace you have saved through faith." While these verses definitively claim that Christians' good works are founded on God's workmanship in Christ, it says nothing about the possibility of good works for unbelievers, even though this conclusion is strongly implied. The remainder of the episode highlights Scriptures that indicate that "goodness" depends on intrinsic goodness, and only God meets this standard