This is a tough one and a question that many Christians and non-Christians find themselves asking. Do we really need to be believers in God to be considered good people? In a world where, sadly, some Christians are not good people, while some non-Christians can be very good people, and vice versa, it sure poses a conundrum and is a difficult one to answer. Do you need to be religious to be a good person?
Matthew 19:17 NIV
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
Christians all over the world are taught that God is the source of all goodness, so surely, He must be present in our lives for us to be good? Here’s a look at some different perspectives.
A Christian Perspective
Every Christian knows God represents all things holy in the world, and His existence proves that there is goodness in this world, and by extension, this means that all of us have some goodness in us. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we bear the good fruits, which are the moral guidelines of our lives.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Aligning ourselves with God’s will and teachings is certainly a good place to be for anyone seeking more goodness in their lives. The Bible is our source of guidelines for moral living. It gives instructions that reflect the nature of God that we are supposed to walk in as Christians. God is a loving and just God, and by following His instructions, we cultivate goodness.
John 14:15 NIV
If you love me, keep my commands.
A Non-Believer’s Perspective
To be frank, goodness and moral behavior do not just apply to believers in God. It is something that all people, no matter their faith or religious affiliations, should possess. Knowing the difference between right and wrong is not so much a religious trait but more of a human one and speaks more to conscience than faith. You can choose to be good for goodness’ sake
However, we, as believers, know that a good conscience and general goodness are bestowed by God and are also fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 2:14-45 NIV
14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
Christians are required to see the good in everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs.
The Good Samaritan parable in Luke 10:25-37 is a good reminder that compassion and kindness are not confined to those who share the same beliefs. The Samaritan, who was hated by the Jews, exemplified true neighborly love, challenging the idea that only the religiously devout can be good people.
Luke 10:36-37 NIV
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Reconciling the Beliefs of Believers and Non-Believers
So, do you need God in your life to be a good person? From a Christian perspective, being good doesn’t necessarily require God. It does in the sense that, for us believers, God is the ultimate source of all goodness, and a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ provides the perfect example for living a virtuous life. The transformative power of the Holy Spirit enables believers to pursue and live in true goodness beyond mere human effort.
At the same time, the answer is also no, because people can display moral virtues and lead ethical lives without explicitly acknowledging God.
The second most important commandment that Jesus gave us was to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, and it is something all of us can and should do. Showing kindness to others and being merciful doesn’t require divine intervention. Before deciding to do something that goes against your moral compass, put yourself in the other person’s shoes and think about the way you would want to be treated if you were them.
While having God present in your life certainly makes things easier, the question of goodness should focus more on a person’s moral compass. Having God in your life will only enrich this and empower you to recognize and respect the good in all others. But, for Christians, specifically, living a good life is a testament to their faith, emanating the love and goodness of God to all those around them.
Susan is a mother of four beautiful babies and a born-again Christian. She took over Hope No Matter What in 2024 and enjoys sharing her knowledge of the goodness and faithfulness of God. Her passion is to bring hope and encouragement to others, and she prays that by sharing her knowledge and personal story, she can inspire others to find enlightenment in God's word.