In the first place ...is good determined by what we 'feel'??

There are many references to 'good' ...

Here are some of them: 

• good-hearted
• good-natured
• good-humored
• good-looking
• good-tempered
• goody-goody

We all have our own perception of 'good' ...and each is probably like a snowflake, with none being exactly the same.

And 'good' usually also has ideas like 'benefit' and 'well-being' come to mind.

Benefit can be temporary ...and can often not be good, if not temporary.

Examples of this is prescribed drugs, that benefit in aiding healing certain things, or conditions. But, several of these prescription drugs, if not taken in the prescribed dosages, and for only the limited prescribed period ...and both both addictive & dangerous.

Strawberries are considered one of the healthiest foods ...yet, some people are allergic to them.  Therefore, it certainly would not be recommended for those people to consume foods they are allergic to.

So, some things that are usually good, are not always good ...and those things that are good for some people are not good for others.

That would seem to bring up a very convincing point ....should I then just live in a way that is good for me??

Yet, there is also the argument that I don't know what is good for me.  The common responds then ...is that it is my decision to choose what is good for me.

Yet again, though we often take this line of thought ...we still tend to live in a world which is often not very good.

So, with that ...do we say it is merely bad environment, and all we have to do is fix the environment?? And a corresponding comment also very often is that whatever unhealthy (not bad) influences are in our society ...well, we can just fix them too.

But, how do we decide what to fix ...if we can't agree upon what is good and what is not, or what needs fixing??  Those very same people would continue to argue that it is their decision to choose what is good for them ...and they don't want someone to impose into their lives, telling them what needs fixing.

Let just go to the dictionary for a brief moment, to see how it defines 'good'.

The word 'good' is listed as an adjective and as a noun.  

I could go to a restaurant and ask for a good steak ...yet, that would sound silly, as what restaurant would claim their steak is not good.  And I could ask for a good amount of broccoli with my steak ...but, when they came with the broccoli, I may feel I want a good amount more if I feel the original serving was not good enough.  Steaks are more difficult to dispute ...as it is usually ordered by ounces.  

But, enough of that ...let's look at the noun.  This is what I found on the first line: "something conforming to the moral order of the universe".

It did not say the moral order of the society ...the nation ...or even the world, it said the universe.  And that does not seem so much as an opinion that gives me freedom to choose and decide for myself.  Phrase that way, it may even seem a bit threatening to my personal views.  After all, who can I trust to be fair about what is good for the entire universe??  Certainly, somewhere there ...it is going to potentially trample my personal rights.

In the 18th Chapter, of the Gospel According to Luke, Jesus said, "No one is good ---except God alone."

In Chapter 6, of the Gospel According to John, Jesus said, "No man can come to Me, except the Father who has sent Me draw him."  And Jesus said the words He was speaking unto them were spirit and life.

I firmly believe that no one comes to Jesus unless they are drawn ...and this does not mean to me that we have no freedom to chose.  I just am saying that I believe we would have many of the religions of the world without God drawing anyone to Him, but only the truth of Jesus comes to us by God.

And I also believe we are all drawn to Him ...as Peter writes in his second letter, Chapter 3, that God would have it that none would perish, but that all would come to repentance.  Yet, though that is true of God, it is not true of us ...that we all come to repentance, as we don't. 

Who is qualified qualified to define good ...universally??

Only God is ...

And the first Chapter of the Bible, Genesis, states that God said the light was good ...that the separation of the dry land and seas was good ...the vegetation was good ...and God defined exact lights in the heaven, as good ...and God said the birds in the air and the fish in the sea were good ...and God made the animals, which were good ...and God made man & woman, and blessed them ...and it was very good.

That is quite an abundance of good ...all in six days of Creation.

God created an existence for us ...where we could live & breathe, and thrive as long as we value His Word to us.

And I don't mean thriving within the world's standards ...which isn't really the world's, as this earth was created for us, to sustain us long enough for God to say that it's enough.  We should strive and thrive upon our relationship with Him ...and we will be blessed, and that will be very good.

Though you may feel awkward with declining to join others with what you may feel uncomfortable participating in ...those same others can make you feel even more uncomfortable with your decision, calling you a goody goody or goody two shoes. People who attempt to do right, often are made fun of ...but, don't let that deter you from doing what you believe is right. And people who attempt to do right are also often those who are scrutinized at the highest level ...with others just waiting for them to make a mistake.

We all make mistakes.

Though amongst our failures ---if we can keep in mind that what He has for us, is not a mere choice steak at a restaurant, but came to us at a much higher cost (which He paid) ---we can receive the most choice existence.  Sadly, if we don't choose to accept this most gracious and merciful offer ...the stakes become much higher.

Being offered something we know we don't really deserve, who would argue that ...that's not loving and good.