How does Luke 18:19 emphasize God's unique goodness? “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone.” Setting the Scene • A wealthy ruler approaches Jesus with the impressive title “Good Teacher.” • Jesus immediately redirects the ruler’s attention from a casual compliment to a profound theological truth: goodness, in its purest sense, belongs to God alone. God Alone Is Perfectly Good • Scripture consistently presents God as the absolute standard of moral purity (Psalm 25:8; Psalm 34:8). • “No one” underscores the universal absence of innate human goodness apart from God (Romans 3:10–12). • God’s goodness is not merely a trait; it is His very nature—unchanging, flawless, and self-existent (James 1:17). What This Reveals About Us • By contrast, every person falls short of God’s standard (Isaiah 64:6). • Even sincere moral efforts cannot bridge the gap between human imperfection and divine perfection (Ephesians 2:8–9). • Recognizing God’s unique goodness humbles the heart, clearing the way for repentance and reliance on grace. What This Reveals About Jesus • Jesus’ question is not a denial of His own goodness; it pushes the ruler to consider who Jesus really is. • If Jesus is truly “good,” and only God is good, then Jesus shares God’s nature—an implicit claim to deity (John 10:30; Colossians 2:9). • The conversation invites listeners to move beyond a flattering title to genuine faith in Christ as God in the flesh. Echoes in the Rest of Scripture • Mark 10:18 records the same statement, reinforcing the theme in two Gospels. • Isaiah 6:3 presents the seraphim declaring, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts,” spotlighting God’s unique moral majesty. • Revelation 15:4 asks, “Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy.” The exclusivity of divine goodness runs from Genesis to Revelation. Living in the Light of God’s Unique Goodness • Approach God with reverent awe, recognizing that true goodness is His alone. • Trust Christ as the embodiment of divine goodness, the only sufficient Savior. • Let God’s perfect character shape daily conduct—pursuing holiness not to earn favor, but as grateful recipients of grace (1 Peter 1:15-16). |
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