What does "there is only One who is good" reveal about God's nature? Setting the Scene “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17) Parallel declarations: • Mark 10:18 – “No one is good except God alone.” • Luke 18:19 – same wording. Jesus speaks to a sincere but self-reliant young man. The Lord’s first move is to shift the man’s focus from human performance to God’s perfect character. God’s Unrivaled Goodness • Goodness is not something God merely possesses; it is what He is (Psalm 119:68). • Scripture never speaks of God becoming good or improving; His goodness is eternal and unchangeable (James 1:17). • Because God alone is intrinsically good, every created thing is measured against Him, never the reverse (Nahum 1:7). Moral Perfection and Holiness • “God is Light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) • Holiness means absolute moral purity; goodness is what that purity looks like in action (Isaiah 6:3). • Unlike people, who mingle good intentions with sin, God’s motives, words, and deeds are always perfectly righteous (1 Samuel 2:2). God as the Standard of Goodness • “He is the Rock; His work is perfect… a God of faithfulness, without injustice.” (Deuteronomy 32:4) • His commandments reflect His own heart; obeying them aligns us with reality as He defines it (Psalm 19:7-9). • Right and wrong are not cultural constructs; they flow from the character of the One who is good. Humanity’s Need and Dependence • “There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12) • We do good in a secondary, derivative sense—only as we depend on God (John 15:5). • Salvation is “not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy.” (Titus 3:5) Goodness Revealed in Jesus • By pointing to God alone as good, Jesus gently tests whether the ruler recognizes His divine identity. • “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11) – He applies the divine attribute to Himself. • “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature.” (Hebrews 1:3) • In Christ, the infinite goodness of God takes on flesh, heals the sick, welcomes sinners, and ultimately dies for the undeserving. Covenant Faithfulness and Steadfast Love • “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious… abounding in loving devotion and truth.” (Exodus 34:6) • God’s goodness is not abstract; it shows up in loyal love, rescue, and provision (Psalm 136 – “His loving devotion endures forever”). Our Response to the Only Good God • Trust Him: “Taste and see that the LORD is good.” (Psalm 34:8) • Worship Him: “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.” (1 Chronicles 16:34) • Imitate Him: “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord… bearing fruit in every good work.” (Colossians 1:10) • Depend on the Spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is… goodness.” (Galatians 5:22) Summary • “There is only One who is good” spotlights God’s unique, absolute moral perfection. • He alone defines goodness; all moral truth flows from His character. • Humanity lacks intrinsic goodness and must rely on God’s grace. • Jesus, God the Son, embodies and reveals that perfect goodness. • Believers respond with trust, gratitude, and Spirit-empowered lives that reflect the goodness of the One true God. |
    |