SUMMUM BONUM is a Latin expression meaning, “the highest good.” This was introduced by the Roman philosopher Cicero, to correspond to the “Idea of the Good” in ancient Greek philosophy. The SUMMUM BONUM is generally thought of as being an end in itself, and at the same time containing all other goods. It is what is of ultimate importance, the singular and overriding end which human beings ought to pursue.
Mahatma Gandhi, Indian activist, proposed the notion of “infinite love” being the SUMMUM BONUM of life. He saw it as a weapon of matchless potency, a living and life-giving attribute possessed only by the brave, and not as a a wooden and lifeless dogma.
Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor from 161 - 180, called the philosopher, is attributed to defining SUMMUM BONUM as “Just that you do the right thing. The rest doesn’t matter. Cold or warm. Tired or well-rested. Despised or honored. Dying...or busy with other assignments.”
Once when Jesus was called a good teacher, responded, “Why do you call me good? No one is good—except God alone.” (Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19)
Once when Jesus was called a good teacher, responded, “Why do you call me good? No one is good—except God alone.” (Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19)
Ask yourself right here and now, in this moment, in my mind and heart, what do I currently identify and trust as being the highest good? What is the best thing that life has to offer? What is my SUMMUM BONUM?
Is it something that is of Infinite Spirit or something that is simply a mere idol?
In Jeremiah 2:9-13 the Lord accuses all professing believers through the expanse of time in committing two sins, rejecting Him, then turning to idols that we ourselves have foolishly created which cannot eternally sustain us.
Idolatry is worship of and trust in:
- the provision instead of the Provider
- money instead of the Maker
- the creature instead of the Creator
Isaiah 44:13-20 depicts idol worship as placing our worship and trust in what is seen, something natural & physical, temporally tangible, instead of what is unseen, something supernatural & spiritual, timelessly intangible.
All of us will be quick to say that I don’t place my sense of well-being and security in a baseless trust and worship of a block of wood, however, can we all just as quickly say this about other things? How many of can just as easily deny that we don’t anchor our trust and measure our sense of well-being and security in our own efforts for money, love, and power?
Is my own personally preferred block of wood something other than that personal relationship with God due to the cross on which His son, humanity's savior Jesus Christ selflessly sacrificed his very life to redeem me from my sinfulness?
Is my own personally preferred block of wood something other than that personal relationship with God due to the cross on which His son, humanity's savior Jesus Christ selflessly sacrificed his very life to redeem me from my sinfulness?
For more:
- Video: True & False Conversion
- Video: Hells Best Kept Secret
- Sermon: How do I know that I'm a Christian?, by Ron Mioni
- Sermon: How then shall we live?, by Barry Parsons
- Free Online Book: The Almost Christian Discovered, or The False Professor Tried & Cast, by Rev. Matthew Mead
In the words originally penned by Matthew Mead, "The mighty God, whose prerogative it is to teach to profit, whether by the tongue or the pen, by speaking or writing, bless this tract, that it may serve you as a cloud of rain to the dry ground, dropping fatness to your soul, that so your fleece being watered with the "dew of heaven," you may "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." In whom I am your Friend and Servant,"
Carmine DiLello
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