The Bible makes it very clear that there is no man or woman on this planet who can truly be called a “good person.” The Apostle Paul quoted from Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 when he said of mankind, “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Romans 3:12).

Yet, in spite of this pronouncement, many times in the Bible are definite statements about “the good man.” The Psalms and Proverbs contain comments regarding a good man and describe his characteristics. One example is Psalm 37:23, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Another is found in Proverbs 12:2, “A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.”

The Apostle Paul, in the very same book where he wrote definitively that there is “none that doeth good,” also said of the Christians to whom he was writing in Rome, “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness” (Romans 15:14).

What makes the difference between these seemingly contradictory texts? Why would Paul turn from saying that there is none that doeth good and then give such a high commendation of goodness in the lives of the Roman believers? The difference is the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Goodness is included in the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in both Galatians 5:22 and Ephesians 5:9.

The Holy Spirit is able and willing to fill His child, as a vessel of clay, with the oil of light and goodness. The goodness of a good man is not his own goodness; rather, it is the very goodness of God manifested in the thoughts, words, and deeds of a sanctified vessel. It is not our goodness, but God’s goodness!

One shining example in Scripture of a good man is Barnabas, the generous leader in the early church at Jerusalem. According to Acts 11:24, it is noted specifically that “he was a good man.” The very next phrase gives the key to his goodness: “and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.”

Modern Christianity has developed an unhealthy exaltation of human leaders. Preachers and pastors pride themselves on such visible results as their attendance numbers or their success in seeing conversions and performing baptisms. Famous, distinguished speakers are invited to platforms and given fancy titles that exalt them rather than edify God.

Adjectives such as awesome, phenomenal, superb, incredible, and tremendous are used to describe mere mortals. It is as though God’s own simple, accurate description of Barnabas as “a good man” is somehow not good enough anymore!

A faithful man full of the Holy Ghost is a “good man.” As such, Barnabas displayed to all those around him the goodness of God. He displayed God’s goodness when he became known as an encourager—a “son of consolation” (Acts 4:36). He displayed God’s goodness when he had land and “sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:37). He displayed God’s goodness when he welcomed the newly converted Saul of Tarsus “and brought him to the apostles” (Acts 9:27). He displayed God’s goodness when he and Paul had disagreement regarding involving John Mark in ministry; kindly taking the faltering one under wing in order to build him up, “and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus” (Acts 15:37–39).

What are some distinguishing marks of a good man? Besides these which we see in the life and example of Barnabas, we find other distinguishing marks in the epistles of the New Testament. Let’s consider these other practices of such a man.

A good man does not render evil for evil.

“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men” (I Thessalonians 5:15). Controlled by the power of the Holy Spirit, the good man will not be vindictive or bitter. He will reflect the goodness of God toward those that do him wrong.

Are you vindictive? Do you harbor resentment over past offenses? Do you render evil for evil? Or have you learned to be like the Master and be a follower of that which is good?

A good man purges himself to become a clean vessel.

Like a vessel fashioned from clay in the hand of the potter, a good man knows that he must be clean in order to be a useful instrument, bearing the goodness of God in daily life. “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (II Timothy 2:19–21).

Are you a purged vessel? You have no more goodness in you than a lump of clay has any value until it is shaped, fired, and set apart for the Master’s use. Be careful always to purge yourself from uncleanness so that you might be prepared for every good work.

A good man has learned the virtue of meekness.

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13). A man who is filled with the Holy Spirit has learned the valuable lesson of surrendering his rights to God. He has learned of the Master to be meek and lowly of heart.

Are you meek? Do little irritations bring out the worst in you or the best in you by the power of the Holy Spirit? Yield your rights, take the yoke prepared for you by the Lord Jesus, and come to be a good man who reflects the goodness of God.

A good man glorifies the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A Christian who fulfills “all the good pleasure of His goodness” is one who lives daily to glorify the name of Christ. “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (II Thessalonians 1:11–12).

Of course, these are just a few of many examples that might be given. A good man has no goodness in and of himself. In the Biblical sense of the term, a good man is a man who has been transformed by the goodness of God and filled with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. In a day full of evil and uncleanness, may God give us the grace to become like Barnabas, “a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.”