It is not uncommon to hear someone referred to as a good person. They refer to them in that manner because of good deeds. They judge their character and determine they are better than the average person. Yet, this is not the measuring stick that the Bible uses. In Matthew 19:17, when a young man called Jesus good, this was Jesus’ response. “And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. In Luke 18:18-23 we find Jesus talking to a “good man.” Acorrding to Jesus none are good.
In Luke 18:18-19 we find Jesus talking to a young man who referred to Him as Good Master. Jesus asked him why he called Him good because there is only one good, and that is God. Jesus wanted him to understand he was giving Him the title of God. It was well known by all those who had sat and listened to Jesus that he was a teacher. It was common for a younger person seeking knowledge of an older person to refer to them as Master because the word master means teacher. Yet, it was a bit unusual for a Jew to give their teacher the title of good. This title shows us that he had high regard and respect for Jesus.
The young man was approaching Jesus as he would any respected teacher. He was treating Jesus as he would a man. He does not make the connection even when Jesus tells him there is none good but God. I believe we see that same kind of relationship with Jesus now. Many people hear about Him and want Him for what He can do for them. They may even come to a point of conviction and desire Him as their Savior, but they do not want Him as Lord of their lives. They do not recognize who He is as God the Son: master, creator, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Luke 18:18-19 “And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? None is good, save one, that is, God.”
Today, we live in a society that measures our goodness by our works. The problem is that we measure ourselves by others, and all people are sinners. Romans 3:23 teaches us clearly, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Every society has its own value system as to what is good or bad. Many religions base your eternity on your good works. I remember talking to a man who attended a church where your good works were equated with your salvation. I ask, according to his understanding, what would it take to make it to heaven? His answer was, “My good works.” I asked how did he know when he had enough. He said I have to hope what I’ve done is enough. If we could work our way to heaven, there would have been no need for Jesus to die for our sins. Isaiah 64:6 teaches us just as Jesus said in Matthew 19:17 that no one is good “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags.”
We must understand our value system is flawed. It is born out of a heart that is tainted with sin from birth. The value system to enter heaven is God’s values, and He is perfect. That is the standard, not my neighbor, not a preacher or priest, but God. God is holy; we are to emulate God the Son, Jesus Christ. This is our standard, and we cannot meet it no matter how hard we try on our own. The only way to heaven is to humble ourselves, repent of our sins, and accept Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord. He is “the truth, the way, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Him.” This is our ticket to eternal life because no one is good enough to make heaven on their own.
As prideful, sinful people, we want to think highly of ourselves. We want to be in charge, but in God’s economy, we are not good. Only God is good because He is holy. He is without sin. To be good, we must be without sin, and we are not. If you consider yourself good this may be a hard truth to deal with, if so, take it up with God. He is God, and we are not. He is a loving God who sacrificed His Son to redeem us, and His holiness will not allow anything short of perfection in Heaven. We are not good, but He is!
