" NONE Good But GOD "

Mark 10:17-22   " And when HE was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to HIM, and asked HIM, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life ? And JESUS said unto him, Why callest thou ME good ? there is none good but ONE, that is, GOD. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother. 

And he answered and said unto HIM, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then JESUS beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in Heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow ME. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. "

     Today's text is the account of the rich young ruler who accosted JESUS with a penetrating question of eternal import but with a form of address that fell short of CHRIST's person - "Good Master (Teacher)" (v.17). Our LORD answered the question but posed a pertinent question of HIS OWN as a preface to HIS response: "Why callest thou ME good ? there is none good but . . . GOD" (v.18). In other words, "If you believe ME to be nothing but a human teacher, why call ME 'good' since there is none good by GOD ?" These words of JESUS were not a denial of HIS deity but an affirmation of it (John 10:30; 14:9) and an appeal to this man to acknowledge that truth (Romans 10:9-10). The LORD challenged the inquirer's faulty perception of "good" and pointed to GOD alone as the true source and standard of goodness. The questioner needed to see himself in the context of GOD's perfect character and to come to HIM in repentance. Sadly, he later abandoned the word good and simply called JESUS "teacher" (v.20), casting off any concept of JESUS CHRIST as GOD - a rejection that was fatal to the soul.

     Goodness belongs to GOD alone (Romans 3:12), and the reason that JESUS was truly good is that HE was, and is, truly GOD. Every individual on earth is born of Adam's seed and nature (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:3); the LORD JESUS CHRIST, however, was conceived of the HOLY SPIRIT (Luke 1:30-35; Matthew 1:18) and born of a woman who had not known a man (Matthew 1:21-23). Herein lies the tremendous and vital importance of the truth and doctrine of the virgin birth of our LORD. If JESUS CHRIST is not GOD, come in human, sinless flesh, then we have no SAVIOR. Praise the LORD - HE is, and we do ! JED
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org