Biblical Answer

Is it possible for a person to be good outside of a relationship to Christ?

The question of whether a person can be good outside of a relationship with Christ is a complex one. From a biblical perspective, the answer is no. According to the Bible, all humans are born with a sinful nature, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot become good on our own (Romans 3:23). The Bible teaches that our sinful nature separates us from God and makes us enemies of God (Romans 3:10-18, 5:10). Therefore, without a relationship with Christ, it is impossible to be good in the sense of being morally upright and pleasing to God.

However, it's worth noting that some people may appear to be good without a relationship with Christ. They may be kind, charitable, and law-abiding citizens. But from a biblical perspective, this type of goodness is not true goodness. It is often referred to as "self-righteousness" or "external goodness." This type of goodness is based on human effort and does not come from a relationship with God. In contrast, true goodness comes from a heart that has been transformed by the power of God's love and forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17). True goodness is not just about external behavior, but about the heart and the motivations behind it.

In conclusion, while it may appear that some people can be good outside of a relationship with Christ, the Bible teaches that true goodness comes from a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Without a relationship with Christ, it is impossible to be truly good and pleasing to God. Therefore, it is essential to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to experience true goodness and live a life that is pleasing to God. This is why the Bible says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Ultimately, true goodness is not something we can achieve on our own, but it is a gift from God that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.