This episode elaborates on the great exchange of Romans 1:18-23, in which mankind exchanges the glory of God for an image in the form of himself. This exchange is critical to understanding unbelievers' basis for doing good works. Morality and "good works" are ultimately defined by the object they serve. Mankind is the fundamental god of unbelievers and "good works" describe the relationship of man's works to man's god, i.e. himself. So not surprisingly, man commends himself when his works serve himself, even calling his evil works "good." Isaiah commented on the disconnect between divine morality and man-made morality: "woe to those who call evil good, and good, evil." (Is 5:20) The last part of the episode explains how the great exchange is reversed by following Christ.
The god behind the ‘Good Works’ of Unbelievers
This episode addresses the root reason why unbelievers are often adamant about their ability to do good works. Works can be described as "good" in so far as they serve some purpose. Since mankind was created for God's glory (Isaiah 43:7), but has nevertheless fallen short of that glory (Romans 3:23), his works can not logically be described as "good." But if man rejects his purpose, that he was created for God's glory, and even exchanges that glory for man's glory, then the works of man are evaluated based on their service to the glory of man. Morality itself becomes a social construct ultimately aimed at the glory of man. Romans 1:18-25 traces the descent of exchanging the glory of God for an image in the form of corruptible man, concluding that man "worships and serves the creature rather than the Creator." Very critically, unregenerate man rejects the glory of God as the purpose of man, suppressing the truth in unrighteousness, and substitutes himself as the object of worship. Morality and "good" works merely reflect the god that is served, so not surprisingly, many unbelievers insist that they do good works.