What Is a “Good Person” According to Christianity?

Which of these “Good Christian” views fits you?

Good Christian View #1

According to Christianity, a “good person” is generally understood to be someone who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ and strives to live a virtuous and moral life. In this context, some of the key parameters of a “good person” might include:

1. Love: A good person is one who loves others, including their neighbors, friends, and even their enemies. Jesus himself said that the greatest commandment is to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-39).
2. Compassion: A good person is one who shows compassion and kindness to others, especially those in need. This might involve helping the poor, visiting the sick, or comforting the grieving.
3. Forgiveness: A good person is one who is willing to forgive others for their mistakes or wrongdoing. This is a central theme in Jesus’ teachings, as he emphasized the importance of forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:12) and in his parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35).
4. Humility: A good person is one who is humble, recognizing their own limitations and faults, and seeking to serve rather than be served. Jesus himself was a model of humility, as he willingly took on the form of a servant and washed his disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17).
5. Honesty: A good person is one who is honest and truthful, avoiding deception and deceit. This includes not only telling the truth to others, but also being honest with oneself about one’s own thoughts, feelings, and actions.
6. Responsibility: A good person is one who takes responsibility for their actions and makes an effort to do the right thing, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. This might involve making amends for past mistakes, standing up for what is right, or simply doing one’s best to live a virtuous life.
7. Faith: For many Christians, being a good person involves having faith in God and living a life that is guided by spiritual principles. This might involve attending church, praying, and reading the Bible, as well as seeking to grow in one’s relationship with God and live in accordance with his will.

It is important to note that these are just a few examples of the parameters that might be associated with being a “good person” according to Christianity. Different Christian traditions and interpretations may place emphasis on different virtues and values, and the specific characteristics of a good person may vary depending on the individual and the context in which they are living.

Good Christian View #2

Christianity offers a set of moral values and principles that govern the behavior of individuals, which can be used to help define what it means to be a “good person”. Here are the key parameters of a “good person” according to Christianity:

1. Love God: The Bible tells us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27). This means that we should make God the centre of our lives and commit ourselves to loving and serving Him.

2. Love your neighbor: The Bible tells us to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). This means that we should treat others with respect, compassion, care and kindness.

3. Follow the Ten Commandments: The Bible outlines the Ten Commandments which provide a framework for living a moral life (Exodus 20). This includes not stealing, honoring parents, not committing adultery, not bearing false witness, and not coveting what belongs to others.

4. Be humble and selfless: The Bible encourages us to be humble, patient, and selfless in our interactions with others (Philippians 2:3). This means being willing to listen and learn from others, to put others’ needs before our own, and to value humility and kindness over pride and power.

5. Be generous: The Bible instructs us to be generous with our time, talents, and resources (Proverbs 11:24). This means being willing to give of ourselves to help others in need and to use our resources wisely and responsibly.

6. Forgive others: The Bible tells us to forgive others, even when they hurt us (Matthew 6:14-15). This means being willing to let go of grudges and resentments and to show mercy and compassion to others, even if they have wronged us.

7. Seek justice: The Bible teaches us to seek justice and to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves (Isaiah 1:17). This means working to ensure that the rights of vulnerable and marginalized individuals are respected and that everyone has access to fair and just treatment.

8. Seek peace: The Bible encourages us to seek peace in all our relationships (Romans 12:18). This means striving to resolve conflicts peacefully and to promote harmony and understanding among all people.

9. Be pure in heart: The Bible tells us to be pure in heart (Matthew 5:8). This means striving to keep our hearts and minds free from impure thoughts and desires and to focus on the things of God.

10. Be obedient to God: The Bible instructs us to be obedient to God’s will (Deuteronomy 11:26-28). This means being willing to submit to God’s perfect will for our lives and to trust Him even when it doesn’t make sense to us.

These parameters provide a framework for understanding what it means to be a “good person” according to Christianity. By striving to live according to these values and principles, we can strive to become better people and to bring glory to God.

References:

The Bible. (n.d.). Matthew 5:8. Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A8&version=NIV

The Bible. (n.d.). Deuteronomy 11:26-28. Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+11%3A26-28&version=NIV

The Bible. (n.d.). Exodus 20. Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+20&version=NIV

The Bible. (n.d.). Isaiah 1:17. Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+1%3A17&version=NIV

The Bible. (n.d.). Luke 10:27. Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10%3A27&version=NIV

The Bible. (n.d.). Mark 12:31. Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12%3A31&version=NIV

The Bible. (n.d.). Philippians 2:3. Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A3&version=NIV

The Bible. (n.d.). Proverbs 11:24. Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+11%3A24&version=NIV

The Bible. (n.d.). Romans 12:18. Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A18&version=NIV

Good Christian View #3

Christianity is a diverse and multifaceted religion, and as such, there are many different interpretations of what it means to be a “good person” according to its teachings. However, there are some key values and virtues that are widely held as central to being a good person in the eyes of God and the Christian faith. These include:

1. Love: Love is a fundamental Christian virtue, and it is often seen as the cornerstone of a good and moral life. Jesus himself emphasized the importance of love, both in his teachings and in his actions. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and to “love your neighbor as yourself.” This commandment to love God and others is central to Christian teachings, and it is seen as a key characteristic of a good person.
2. Compassion: Compassion is another important virtue in Christianity, and it involves showing kindness, empathy, and concern for the suffering of others. This might involve helping the poor, visiting the sick, or comforting the grieving. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus emphasizes the importance of showing compassion to those in need, even if they are not part of one’s own community or group.
3. Forgiveness: Forgiveness is a central theme in Christianity, and it is seen as an important characteristic of a good person. In the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:12), Jesus teaches his followers to ask God to “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” He also tells the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35), in which he emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and the consequences of refusing to forgive others.
4. Humility: Humility is an important virtue in Christianity, and it involves recognizing one’s own limitations, faults, and the need for God’s grace. Jesus himself was a model of humility, as he willingly took on the form of a servant and washed his disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17). In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus teaches his followers to be humble and to seek a humble position in life, rather than seeking to be exalted or praised by others.
5. Honesty: Honesty is another important virtue in Christianity, and it involves being truthful and sincere in one’s words and actions. This includes not only telling the truth to others, but also being honest with oneself about one’s own thoughts, feelings, and actions. In Ephesians 4:25, Paul writes that Christians should “speak the truth in love,” emphasizing the importance of both honesty and love in Christian life.
6. Responsibility: Responsibility is an important characteristic of a good person according to Christianity, and it involves taking ownership of one’s actions and striving to do the right thing, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. This might involve making amends for past mistakes, standing up for what is right, or simply doing one’s best to live a virtuous life. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus tells the parable of the sheep and the goats, in which he emphasizes the importance of taking care of those in need as a way of serving God.
7. Faith: Faith is an essential component of Christian life, and it involves believing in God and living a life that is guided by spiritual principles. This might involve attending church, praying, and reading the Bible, as well as seeking to grow in one’s relationship with God and live in accordance with his will.