Not One Man

​Ecclesiastes 7:20 ~ “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”
 
My dear Christian friends, let us quickly dispense with the notion that there is any among us who has, within the full vigor of their daily lives, behaved in such a manner as to have never sinned. The rich young ruler who came to Jesus with the desire for eternal life opened the conversation by addressing Jesus with the moniker, “good teacher” (see Mark 10:17). The response of our LORD is the only true response when it comes to anyone in this world, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). I, as with all who belong to Christ, have a deep yearning for goodness, and yet it is often an elusive trait. Even the great Apostle Paul understood the vaporous condition of his own desire to be righteous. Consider his words in Romans 7:18, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” And yet, how quickly we are caught in the trap of considering ourselves in a category of being “good.” We’ve achieved certain levels of success, or have arrived at some moral high ground that gives us the illusion that we are good. Or, worse yet, we merely compare ourselves with those around us and default to the idea that at least we are good in comparison. Let us depart from such perceptions.
 
Our text today opens with the inner condition of every person as it states, “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth.” In truth, we are all unrighteous within. The idea of being “righteous” in our text today is akin to being a person who is “just” or “having the quality of righteousness.” In truth, at the core of every human heart is a state of being that is unjust and unrighteous before God. Romans 3:10 tells us clearly, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one.’” Before the days of Noah and the flood, Genesis 6:5 describes the condition of mankind, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Dear Christian, let us acknowledge the truth that there is not one good person upon the earth—including us.
 
And then, as our text continues, we read that the behavior follows the inner heart when it says there is not a man on earth, “who does good and never sins.” There are those who do good works. There are many who embrace causes that are beneficial to others and seemingly altruistic in their pursuit. However, it is the second part of the phase that must be addressed—and never sins. Sinless perfection in every thought, word and deed is a state of being that is foreign to every person on earth. We know that the Bible speaks the truth when it declares, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Not one person—including all Christians—has ever done good with no drop of sin attached. And though, as believers in Christ, we would like to divorce ourselves from the nature that causes us to fall in sin, we discover that sin is still a constant companion.
 
So, why do I tell you this? Am I suggesting that we can never be fully free from the despicable nature that continues to drag us down into the mire of sin? Not at all. Beloved, I tell you this for three reasons. First, that you should be merciful to those who find themselves struggling in sin. We are commanded in Galatians 6:1, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” Second, that all who read this will take to heart the caution in this text. We must be vigilant to avoid temptations. To use this command of Jesus as the basic principle, hear the words of Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And, third, if you have found yourself ensnared in sin, then run to the LORD Jesus who has come to forgive and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 is a very familiar passage for many, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
 
As we close this out for today, let us strive to show the same mercy and grace that the LORD has shown to us. Proverbs 17:9 states, “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” There is not one man in this world who can say they have never sinned. Only our LORD Jesus was perfect, sinless and completely holy. Someday we will be made so in Him. But while we walk this earth, we discover our opening text is still so very true of us.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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