Only God Is Good : Mark 10:18 : What Jesus Did! : HEARTLIGHT®

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Only God Is Good - Mark 10:18

Jesus answered, "Why do you call me good? No person is good. Only God is good. (ERV) Full Text

Key Thought

Yes, only God is good. But then that is the point, isn't it? Jesus is God with us and we must put our faith in him and listen to him and obey just as we must with God. If the man who asked the question in the previous verse can't see that Jesus has God's authority as well as God's goodness, he will never relinquish complete control of his heart, his life, and his future. Come to think of it, neither will we. Only God is good! So then, Lord Jesus, you have our attention as God speaking to us!

Today's Prayer

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O Father in heaven, hallowed is your mighty name. I recognize that your Son, Jesus, is God come in the flesh—your very presence with us. Thank you for becoming one of us. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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Today's Verses in Context

People brought their small children to Jesus, so that Jesus could touch them. But the followers told the people to stop bringing their children to Jesus. Jesus saw what happened. He did not like his followers telling the children not to come. Jesus said to them, "Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people that are like these little children. I tell you the truth. You must accept the kingdom of God like a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it." Then Jesus held the children in his arms. Jesus put his hands on them and blessed them. Jesus started to leave, but a man ran to him and bowed on his knees before Jesus. The man asked, "Good teacher, what must I do to get the life that never ends?" Jesus answered, "Why do you call me good? No person is good. Only God is good. {But I will answer your question.} You know the commands: 'You must not murder anyone, you must not do the sin of adultery, you must not steal, you must not lie, you must not cheat, you must honor (respect) your father and mother….' " The man said, "Teacher, I have obeyed all these commands since I was a boy." Jesus looked at the man. Jesus felt love for him. Jesus said, "There is still one more thing you need to do. Go and sell everything you have. Give the money to the poor people. You will have a reward in heaven. Then come and follow me." The man was very sorry to hear Jesus say this, and he left. The man was sad because he was very rich {and wanted to keep his money}. Then Jesus looked at his followers and said to them, "It will be very hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God!" The followers were amazed at what Jesus said. But Jesus said again, "My children, it is very hard to enter the kingdom of God! And it will be very hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of God! It would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle!"

— Mark 10:13-25 (ERV)

Comments on "Only God Is Good":

The law was given through Moses. But grace and {the way of} truth came through Jesus Christ. No man has ever seen God. But the only Son (Jesus) is God. He is very close to the Father (God). And the Son has shown us what God is like. —John 1:17-18 (ERV)

Then Jesus said, "I tell you the truth. Some of you people standing here will see the kingdom of God come before you die. The kingdom of God will come with power." Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John and went up on a high mountain. They were all alone there. While these followers watched him, Jesus was changed. Jesus' clothes became shining white. The clothes were whiter than any person could make them. Then two men were there, talking with Jesus. The men were Elijah and Moses. Peter said to Jesus, "Teacher, it is good that we are here. We will put three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Peter did not know what to say, because he and the other two followers were very afraid. Then a cloud came and covered them. A voice came from the cloud and said, "This (Jesus) is my Son and I love him. Obey him!" —Mark 9:1-7 (ERV)

{That is the way we should live,} because God's grace (kindness) has come. That grace can save every person. And that grace has been given to us. That grace teaches us not to live against God and not to do the bad things the world wants to do. That grace teaches us to live on earth now in a wise and right way—a way that shows that we serve God. We should live like that while we are waiting for the coming of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He is our great hope, and he will come with glory. He gave himself for us. He died to free us from all evil. He died to make us pure people that belong only to him—people that are always wanting to do good things. —Titus 2:11-14 (ERV)