I recently read a bumper sticker that said, “Good without God.” Can we really achieve goodness by our own self-effort apart from God?

Humanity has always tried to live independently of God. That is why the theory of evolution is so popular, “No God for me.” We do not see ourselves as being bad enough to go to hell, whereas God does not see us as being absolute perfect in order to go to heaven.

Man’s definition of good is based on the wrong standard. We compare ourselves to someone who, in our opinion, is not as good as we are. Human nature wants to take credit for all the good in life and give God the credit for all the bad.

We do so-called good deeds for our own selfish reasons and covet the recognition of others to reinforce our standard of goodness. Our pride wants to display our good deeds to impress people with our achievements. We also do good deeds to receive a favor or reward, which some call “karma.”

Some believe if we do enough good, then heaven will be our reward. God’s Word says, “all their works they do for to be seen of men,” therefore, the goodness of our society is based on man’s sinful nature.

Goodness is one of God’s attributes: “There is not good but one, that is God.” God is the author of good with the Biblical definition being, “useful, profitable, kindness in deeds to others.” It is not so much what we do as why we do it.

Upon receiving Christ as our Savior, we receive a new nature from Him which enables us to express our goodness with the right motive.

The Bible says “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven.” We need to ask ourselves, is the motive for our goodness to glorify me or to glorify God? Do we take the credit or do we give it?

Remember, if we take God out of good, all we have left is zero — nothing.

Steve Conwell, pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church, is heard mornings on WFLO and WVHL in “A Thought for Today.” His email address is SteveConwell@outlook.com.