A Good Man?

(Pro 12:2 KJV) A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

Again we see the idea that we have the ability to be righteous. I can be a “good man” (2896a). This is the simple word for good. It is the word God used in Genesis when He declared light was good. It is the good of Micah 6:8. It is a very frequent word in Proverbs.

I would assume that this is imputed righteousness, not imparted righteousness, otherwise the idea that we “obtain” (6329) “favor” (7522) is rather empty. Then it becomes little more that God praising Himself. That would be like me paying a make-up artist to make you look exactly like me and then rewarding you for looking so good.

Here is the confusing part: This is before the cross so you would think the power of sin had not been broken. Could it be that we have free will but not perfect discipline and God can see into our hearts and judge us on what He sees? You think? I don’t know about you, but this gives me hope; hope based in the grace of God.

Notice the assumption of free will. God will “condemn” (7561), but not on the basis of predestination. Condemnation is for the one who “devises evil” (4209).