We do a lot of good. And naturally we would want this acknowledged and even rewarded. But our goodness in one area is never an excuse to drop the ball in another. And it’s only right to call us out when we’re in the wrong regardless of how much other good we’ve also done.
To be sure, it’s hard to be on the receiving end of constant criticism. And, of course, it’s then reasonable to highlight our acts of goodness that have been overlooked. But this goodness doesn’t protect us from legitimate critiques of missing the mark.
For instance, being a good dad is not an excuse for being a bad husband. Certainly, the goodness of our fatherhood should be affirmed, especially when we’re stepping up in ways that exceed expectations. But no amount of goodness here allows us to neglect our duty as a husband. And it would be foolish to expect our wife to be okay with us watering down the boundaries of our marriage vows just because we’re a good dad. Goodness in one area doesn’t negate the wrong in another.
To be fair, the reverse is also true. Our shortcoming or sin in one area doesn’t make us a bad person in every other area. For example, failing as a husband doesn’t also make us a bad dad. And we don’t get to neglect our responsibility to our kids just because our sin has brought damage to our marriage.
On the one hand, the various roles of our life are intricately connected with each other. And what we do in one area will have a ripple effect on the rest. At the same time, they remain distinct. And no amount of goodness in one area can make up for the wrong in another.
In the end, goodness is never an excuse to let your guard down toward sin. Wrong is still wrong regardless of how good you might be otherwise.
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