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.
Focus on Ministry not on Sin
This episode elaborates on the two possible fruitless results of a sin-obsessed life in sanctification, as opposed to a God-obsessed life. The ultimate purpose of the redemption of Christ should be to serve the living God, according to Hebrews 9:14. But if the Christian life becomes mostly about getting the victory over sin, potential ministry becomes the casualty. If one is outwardly successful in self-denial and controlling manifestations of sin, then smug self-righteousness can set in. If, on the hand, the Christian struggles to gain traction over his issues with sin, self-condemnation and even further self-medication can result. In both cases, the misplaced focus on the ultimate ministry objective of the Christian life is obscured. The answer is of course to place sin issues in their proper perspective, and this provides the most enduring motive to holistically serve God.