Discover The Absolute Goodness of God

We strive, we seek, we build, and we protect, believing that our efforts alone will secure our future and define our worth. But what if the very foundation of our understanding—of goodness, of effort, and of freedom—has been subtly, yet profoundly, misunderstood?

Prepare to hear a truth that might sound too good to be true, a truth that promises to change everything about how you perceive your life, your purpose, and your ultimate destiny. This message is for every man, woman, and child living in the Great Basin Region, for it speaks to the core of what it means to truly live.

At its core, “absolute” means something that is:

Complete, total, or perfect in itself
Not relative to or dependent on anything else
Universal and unconditional
Without limitation or qualification

In everyday language, we use it to mean:

“Complete” or “total” → “absolute silence,” “absolute power”
“Certain” or “definite” → “I’m absolutely sure”
“Pure” or “unmixed” → “absolute alcohol” (chemistry)

In philosophy, it gets deeper:

Something that exists independently of anything else
Truth or reality that doesn’t depend on perspective or context
The opposite of “relative” not changing based on viewpoint or conditions

In science/math:

Absolute zero (temperature that can’t go lower)

Absolute value (distance from zero, always positive)

Absolute motion/position (though Einstein challenged this idea)

The tension: Many philosophical debates center on whether 'anything' is truly absolute, or whether everything is relative to something else perspective, culture, context, reference frame, etc.

This is a profound line of theological reasoning. Let me trace through Scripture’s own testimony on these questions:

What is “good” according to Scripture alone?

Genesis 1 repeatedly declares God’s creation “good” and God Himself is the standard by which this is measured.

When Jesus is called “Good Teacher,” He responds: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). This establishes that “good” is definitionally 'what God is' not a standard outside Him that He meets, but His very nature.

Humanity’s role in redemption:

Scripture is strikingly clear on this: none.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy” (Titus 3:5)

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)

“You were dead in your trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) dead people contribute nothing to their resurrection.

Regarding the harpazo (rapture/catching away):

1 Thessalonians 4:17 describes believers being “caught up” (harpazo). Note the passive voice 'we are caught up', not 'we catch ourselves up'.

The pattern continues: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined… and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (Romans 8:29-30). God is the active agent in every clause.

If God alone is absolutely good, and salvation/resurrection/harpazo are 'good' things, then by definition they must originate entirely from God’s absolute goodness, not from humanity’s “not-absolute-good” nature.

The Thief on the Cross is the Perfect Test Case

He did 'nothing'. He couldn’t keep commandments from a cross. Couldn’t be baptized, couldn’t do good works, couldn’t attend church, couldn’t serve others.

He simply acknowledged who Jesus was and asked to be remembered. Jesus’ response: “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Good tree, good fruit, good branches:

When Jesus speaks of good trees bearing good fruit (Matthew 7:17-18), and when He says “I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5), notice the 'source' of the goodness:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4)

“Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5)

The branch doesn’t 'make itself' good. The branch is good 'because it’s connected to the good vine'. The goodness flows FROM Christ THROUGH the believer.

The good seed (Matthew 13): “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man” (Matthew 13:37). Again 'He' sows. We don’t plant ourselves.

Can we make ourselves good?

Scripture answers directly:

“There is none righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10)

“All our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (Isaiah 64:6)

“The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so” (Romans 8:7)

We cannot. We’re “not even able.”

Any “goodness” manifested through believers is actually Christ’s goodness expressed through yielded vessels. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).

Let’s walk through the Sermon on the Mount and let Scripture speak for itself.

Matthew 5: The Impossible Standard

Jesus opens with the Beatitudes “Blessed are the poor in spirit… those who mourn… the meek…” (Matthew 5:3-5). Notice: these aren’t achievements. They’re states of 'need' and 'dependence'.

Then He raises the bar impossibly high:

“Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (5:20)

The Pharisees were the 'professionals' at law-keeping. If even their righteousness isn’t enough, whose is?

Then Jesus intensifies every commandment:

Murder? “Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty” (5:22)

Adultery? “Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (5:28)

Love your neighbor? “Love your enemies” (5:44)

The climax: “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (5:48)

Not “pretty good.” Not “try your best.” 'Perfect. As God is perfect.'

Can we achieve this? If we’re honest no. That’s the point. The Law reveals our need.

Matthew 6: Who Does the Work?

Look at what Jesus emphasizes:

'Prayer': “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (6:8). He already knows. He’s already acting.

'The Lord’s Prayer': Notice the requests:

“Give us this day our daily bread” (6:11) 'He' gives

“Forgive us our debts” (6:12) 'He' forgives

“Deliver us from evil” (6:13) 'He' delivers

We’re asking Him to do what we cannot.

'Anxiety': “Do not be worried about your life… your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (6:25, 32). Then: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (6:33)

We seek. He adds. We pursue Him. He provides everything else.

Matthew 7: The Narrow Gate and the Foundation

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction… the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (7:13-14)

Many will say “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?” (7:22)

Look at their confidence in their 'works'. Their resume of religious activity.

Jesus’ response: “I never knew you; depart from Me” (7:23)

It’s not about what they 'did'. It’s about whether He 'knows them'. Relationship, not resume.

Two Builders

“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them…” (7:24)

Wait doesn’t this prove we must work?

Look closer. What’s the foundation?

One man builds on rock hearing 'Jesus’ words' and responding to them.

One man builds on sand everything else.

The difference isn’t the quality of the house (our works). It’s the foundation. Christ is the rock (1 Corinthians 10:4).

When the storm comes judgment, trial, death only one foundation holds. Not our construction skills. The Rock itself.

Bringing It Together

Matthew 5: Shows us we cannot meet God’s standard we need perfection we don’t possess.

Matthew 6: Shows us God provides what we need give us, forgive us, deliver us.

Matthew 7: Shows us the difference is the foundation Christ Himself, not our building abilities.

The yoke Jesus offers? “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).

Why is it easy? Because He’s pulling the weight. We’re yoked 'to Him'. He does the work. We abide.

“The one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out” (John 6:37)

Come. That’s it. Jesus does the rest.

The beauty is this: when people truly grasp they can’t earn it, can’t achieve it, can’t work for it they’re finally free to simply 'receive' it. And in that receiving, connected to the True Vine, His goodness flows through them naturally. Not to earn salvation, but as the evidence of it.

You’re hearing something that might sound too good to be true. But it’s the BIBLE TRUTH.

You cannot save yourself. You cannot earn your way to God. You cannot be good enough.

Jesus Himself said, ‘No one is good except God alone.’ The standard is perfection ‘Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ Have you achieved that? None of us have.

The Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ It says our righteous deeds are like filthy rags. It says we were dead in our sins and dead people can’t save themselves.

But here’s the extraordinary news:

‘God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’

While we were still sinners. Not after we cleaned up. Not after we tried hard enough. While we were dead in sin, Christ died for us.

Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ Not through your efforts. Through Him.

There was a thief dying on a cross next to Jesus. He couldn’t do good works. He couldn’t keep commandments. He couldn’t earn anything. He simply said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’

Jesus responded: ‘Today you will be with Me in Paradise.’

Today. Not after proving himself. Today.

The Bible says: ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.’

It’s a gift. You don’t earn a gift. You receive it.

‘Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.’ That’s Jesus’ promise.

‘The one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.’

So what do you do?

Come to Him. Acknowledge you need Him that you cannot save yourself. Believe that Jesus is who He said He is: God in flesh, who died for your sins and rose from the dead. Ask Him to save you.

That’s it. Not ‘try harder.’ Not ‘clean up first.’ Just come.

‘Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.’

He’s not asking for your resume. He’s offering you His righteousness. He’s not weighing your good works against your bad. He’s offering to take your sin and give you His perfection.

If you believe Jesus is Lord, that God raised Him from the dead, and you call on Him you will be saved. Romans 10:9-10.

‘All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out… and I will raise him up on the last day.’

He will not lose you. You cannot fall from His hand.

This is the truth: God is absolutely good. You are not. But He offers you His goodness freely. Receive it.

Don’t leave here without settling this. Come to Jesus. Trust Him. He will save you because that’s what He does. That’s who He is.”

Listen carefully, because this changes everything about how you’ve been living.

You know the parable of the talents. Most of us have heard it taught as: ‘God gave you gifts use them well or you’ll be punished.’ We’ve made it about 'our' performance, 'our' abilities, 'our' reward.

But look at what Jesus actually said:

‘A man going on a journey called his own slaves…’ (Matthew 25:14)

Stop there. 'His' slaves. Not independent contractors. Not partners. 'Slaves'. What does a slave own? Nothing. Everything belongs to the master.

‘He entrusted his possessions to them’ (25:14)

'His' possessions. The five talents? Not yours. His. The two talents? Not yours. His.

The slave with five talents ‘went at once and traded with them, and gained five more talents’ (25:16).

Whose talents did he trade with? The master’s.
Whose profits were earned? The master’s.
Who did the actual increasing?

Look at what the master says: ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things’ (25:21)

He doesn’t say ‘You earned this.’ He says ‘You were 'faithful'’ meaning trustworthy with 'what was Mine'.

Here’s what we’ve missed:

In the Kingdom, there is no ‘self.’ You said it yourself earlier: ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me’ (Galatians 2:20).

When that slave traded and gained five more talents, who was actually doing the work?

‘Apart from Me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5)

Christ working 'through' a yielded vessel. The slave was faithful to 'let the master’s resources be used for the master’s purposes'.

Now look at the fearful slave:

‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man… and I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent’ (25:24-25).

He operated from 'self-preservation'. Fear. His own assessment. His own decision. He held on instead of releasing it for the master’s use.

The master calls him ‘wicked and lazy’ (25:26) why? Because he kept what was never his to keep.

Here’s the truth for your remaining weeks:

Everything you have your time, your resources, your energy, your relationships, your very breath belongs to Him. You’re a slave steward. Not an owner.

When you serve someone? That’s 'His' kindness flowing through you.

When you give? That’s 'His' generosity released.

When you speak truth? That’s 'His' word through yielded lips.

You’re not building 'your' kingdom. You’re stewarding 'His' possessions for 'His' kingdom.

And the reward?

‘Enter into the joy of your master’ (25:21, 23).

Not ‘enjoy your personal mansion.’ Not ‘receive your individual trophy.’

'His' joy. Shared. Corporate. Kingdom joy.

The five additional talents didn’t go into the slave’s personal account. They enriched the 'master’s estate' which benefits all who dwell there.

In practical terms, for your remaining days:

Stop asking ‘What do I want to accomplish?’

Start asking ‘Master, what do You want to do through me today?’

That conversation you’ve been avoiding? His.
That resource you’ve been hoarding? His.
That time you’ve been protecting? His.

You are not the point. He is.

‘For you have been bought with a price’ (1 Corinthians 6:20)

You don’t belong to yourself anymore. You were purchased. Everything you have came from Him, belongs to Him, and is for His purposes.

The faithful slave simply 'stayed yielded'. Available. Useable. Not clutching. Not calculating. Not self-protecting.

And here’s the beautiful part:

When you live this way truly submitted as a slave with nothing of your own to protect you’re 'free'.

Free from the pressure to perform.
Free from the fear of failure.
Free from comparison and competition.

Because it’s not about you anymore.

You’re just the vessel. He’s the treasure. He’s the investment. He’s the increase. He’s the reward.

‘Faithful in a few things’ doesn’t mean you achieved much. It means you 'released what He gave you' instead of clutching it.

So in these final week, or days… no one knows the day or hour…

Hold nothing back. You can’t take it with you anyway. It was never yours.

Let Him spend you fully. Let His resources flow 'through' you freely to whomever He directs, however He leads.

Don’t die with the master’s talent buried in the ground of self-preservation.

‘For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain’ (Philippians 1:21)

You’re already His. You’re already saved. Now 'live like it'. Live like someone who owns nothing and has nothing to lose.

Because you don’t. And that’s the most liberating truth in the universe.

The work you do? It’s His work.
The fruit that results? It’s His fruit.

The reward that’s stored up? It’s for His kingdom which you’re part of, forever.

There is no ‘self’ to glorify. Only Him.

So go be faithful with whatever He’s placed in your hands today. Tomorrow. Until He calls you home.

And then enter into 'His' joy where all of Heaven celebrates what 'He' accomplished through 'surrendered slaves' who finally understood:

It was never about us. It was always only about Him.