September 1, 2022

John Gruden, the former NFL coach and ESPN analyst fired after the exposure of his unsavory email inbox, is not a “good person” as he claimed in a recent interview. But, then again, neither are the people who canceled him because of his transgressions. And, neither are you. And, neither am I.

A NYT journalist who just wrote an in-depth article on stuttering said he believed that all people are “inherently good” and therefore will exhibit compassion and patience with those who stutter. Of all the pernicious myths of American life, the desperate and dogged attachment to the blind belief in our goodness is the chief barrier to the gospel. Not to mention a willful denial of fact, history, and experience.

Would you be willing to believe Jesus on the subject? Here is what He says. “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.” (Mark 10:18

Thankfully, God works in and through us to achieve great good. But that is His work, not ours.

“Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Fifth Sunday in Lent – BCP)