"No one is good", according to the Bible

[Micaiah-imla]

We are all sinners by nature and can't possibly be "good" at every waking moment of our lives.

The scripture says that we were by nature the children of wrath, not that we are.

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our manner of conduct in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath... (Ephesians 2:2-3).

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Roman 5:8).

For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins...did work in our members (Romans 7:5).

The scripture places our old nature in a past tense.

I wonder why I hear so many professing believers keep the old nature in a present tense.

We become partakers of the divine nature upon believing the gospel:

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:4).

If we have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust, and sin cannot manifest itself without lust (James 1:15), how can you sin? Fire needs oxygen and fuel to burn; Eliminate either or and there's no fire.

But if this offends you, examine yourself:

For:

The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him (1 Corinthians 2:14).

And:

It is abomination to fools to depart from evil (Proverbs 13:19).

Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[garee]

Many people claim to be good. As Christians we all claim to be good people. There is the single mother working two jobs to put food on the table for her chi.ldren. The father, in the garage with his son's car teaching him the mechanics of his vehicle. The husband and wife helping each other with trials of daily life. What about the stranger helping an elderly across the street or the person giving nearly all they have to charity? There are men and women everywhere that makes the claim, "I'm a good person". The truth is in what Jesus said, "there is none good, but one that is, God." So does this mean we are all bad? What about Jesus? Most unbelievers who reject the Divinity of Christ quote this passage in the Bible.

Jesus' statement brings to light a powerful truth: Human beings are not "good" when being measured by God's standards. 1 Samuel 2:2 says, "There is none holy as the Lord". The fact that we are not good and fall short of our Heavenly Father's standards reveals our need for a Savior. Praise Jesus!

Matthew 19:17 Jesus said, "why callest thou me good? There is none good, but one that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." The rich man wanted to know if there was a way a person could earn his salvation through "good works" or deeds. In this passage, Jesus teaches the young man that he needs God's grace. Jesus does this by revealing the man's inner nature. The rich man may have done good things in his daily living but his heart revealed that his "good", fell short from God's standards.

Matthew 19:21 "if thou wilt be perfect" Jesus knows that no one is perfect and tells the rich man to sell everything he has and give to the poor and follow Him. The rich man couldn't do this because he loved himself more than he loved the poor and loved his possessions more than he loved God.
***By God's glorious standards everyone falls short therefore becoming impossible to enter the Kingdom of Heaven without a Savior. This is the only acceptable atonement for our fallible nature.

Psalm 14:3 "they are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." This passage is referring to unbelievers but can be applied to Christians as we can become "filthy" or backslide during the course of a life time.

Romans 3:23-31 "for all have sinned..." In verses 10-18, Paul is quoting from Psalm 14, acknowledging mankind as being guilty of sin. Since we are all sinners, Paul places emphasis on believing in Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins. We are "justified by faith without the deeds of the law."

Final thoughts
Human Depravity is the fallen state of mankind as a result of original sin. More commonly called Total Depravity. So, as the result of the fall of Adam and Eve, every part of mankind- our minds, will, emotions, and flesh-have been corrupted by sin. It affects everything about human nature. All the "good" that we do can be tainted by sin because they are not all done for the glory of God. Isaiah 64:6, "....all our righteousness are as filthy rags." There was only one who was perfect and walked with mankind, that is Jesus Christ. Because of our fallible nature we are not worthy, but through the blood of Jesus Christ we are saved!

Thanks. Great subject.

Like most things it a matter of faith .How we hear seeing he gives us ears as His understanding.

Most doctrines find there meaning in the book of Genesis' .Right from the beginning the word "good" is associated with the things not seen . God's invisible seal of authorship used when things appeared. After each work of faith . He would give his seal by saying it was good. Good represents the Holy place not seen of the eternal of God. . . typified by the father .

Chapter one of Genesis uses the word "good" 7 times ending with everything attributed to the work of His faith sealing it with His witness. . . it was "very good".

Jesus as the Son of man when accused of being Good Master humbled himself and refused to stand in the holy place reserved for his father, as a abomination of desolation. And said to them who bowed and were trying to worship according to what the eyes see, a temporal of flesh and blood as the source of good. In effect it would seem... Why accredit me with a tittle that belongs to the unseen God , the faith principle?

Jesus as the Son of man would not stand in the eternal place of glory in the corruptible flesh he inherited from Adam and Eve like all mankind a dying body..

Luke 18:18-20 King James Version (KJV) 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. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

I think that could benefit as a way of Jesus defending faith the unseen. when we look at the law found in Mathew 23 .Jesus it would seem got under that authority of that law to help us learn to walk by faith and not by sight after the temporal things seen . Lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, the pride of the life of flesh and blood.. . the temporal (1 John 2:16 )


Mathew 23:8: 10 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Good = ( The Good and Faithful One .The Creator, Christ Jesus )

For my suggestion as a answer by faith. . . highlight between ( ) above.

 

[MOC]

Facts the word of God is true. How long do you play this poor me, I'm a sinner saved by grace, still a sinner on and on. How long do we run with this?

I give Him all the praise and glory for any good I do. Yet I am not a puppet. He does not pull my strings. He gave me gifts. I can come boldly before His throne. I sit in heavenly places. At some point that righteousness, that light in us has to shine. So do you have to sin? We live in the flesh.. flesh loves to sin. We have that battle every day. How long are you going to use this as an excuse? He said... That ye put off concerning the former conversation the OLD MAN, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. So did you put off the old man and then be renewed in the spirit of your mind? And that ye put on the NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Even in the OT.. you don't walk with God get caught up because your a evil, bad person. We now have Christ. We have a NEW nature. How long are we going to cling to the old man? Sorry to brake it to you but the NEW man is not bad not evil but is GOOD! Is created in righteousness and true holiness. THATS what you are now. Like I said.. I give HIM all the glory and praise for ANY good I do. I KNOW its ALL HIM! You come before Him BOLDLY! If your not good..your not coming before Him.

Good
Christ said why call me good there is only one good thats the Father. Ok what happen before this verse? How did that man see "GOOD". Seems to me it was by achievements. Christ had him see the Father. Really? Christ that never sinned, forgives sins heals all and is saying Hes not good? He and the Father are one. If you seen Christ you've seen the Father. Who would ever say Christ was not good? "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." Someone forgot to tell Him

Facts the word of God is true. How long do you play this poor me, I'm a sinner saved by grace, still a sinner on and on. How long do we run with this?

I give Him all the praise and glory for any good I do. Yet I am not a puppet. He does not pull my strings. He gave me gifts. I can come boldly before His throne. I sit in heavenly places. At some point that righteousness, that light in us has to shine. So do you have to sin? We live in the flesh.. flesh loves to sin. We have that battle every day. How long are you going to use this as an excuse? He said... That ye put off concerning the former conversation the OLD MAN, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. So did you put off the old man and then be renewed in the spirit of your mind? And that ye put on the NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Even in the OT.. you don't walk with God get caught up because your a evil, bad person. We now have Christ. We have a NEW nature. How long are we going to cling to the old man? Sorry to brake it to you but the NEW man is not bad not evil but is GOOD! Is created in righteousness and true holiness. THATS what you are now. Like I said.. I give HIM all the glory and praise for ANY good I do. I KNOW its ALL HIM! You come before Him BOLDLY! If your not good..your not coming before Him.

Good
Christ said why call me good there is only one good thats the Father. Ok what happen before this verse? How did that man see "GOOD". Seems to me it was by achievements. Christ had him see the Father. Really? Christ that never sinned, forgives sins heals all and is saying Hes not good? He and the Father are one. If you seen Christ you've seen the Father. Who would ever say Christ was not good? "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." Someone forgot to tell Him

Unfortunately it seems that most of todays christians has made they whole religion aroud of the falling short ism. when it should be around, or properly speakin in Jesus Christ, where we should strive towards perfection, not hangin on in our fleshly defectiveness.

We better no build a fence around our sins to keep them near us, but we better do just the opposet, and mortify our sinfull lusts in us.

As I see it our Lord Jesus gives the honor of his own goodnes to God, saying God is the good one. He is the true good one where the all goodness is coming from. Still I see that our Lord Jesus was and is good, altough the goodness of him would be ultimately from God. We should not think that our Lord is bad in anyway. And also if we walk as he has teach us to walk we will should be like him, like a good persons, cildrens of God whom goodness is from Jesus, whose goodness is from God.

So what I am trying to say is, that there is no room to us to be a bad persons. We better not make the vanity of our flesh as the normal properly thing us to practise and live. Otherwice we will be blind to Truth, and where that road will led us?

Facts the word of God is true. How long do you play this poor me, I'm a sinner saved by grace, still a sinner on and on. How long do we run with this?

I give Him all the praise and glory for any good I do. Yet I am not a puppet. He does not pull my strings. He gave me gifts. I can come boldly before His throne. I sit in heavenly places. At some point that righteousness, that light in us has to shine. So do you have to sin? We live in the flesh.. flesh loves to sin. We have that battle every day. How long are you going to use this as an excuse? He said... That ye put off concerning the former conversation the OLD MAN, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. So did you put off the old man and then be renewed in the spirit of your mind? And that ye put on the NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Even in the OT.. you don't walk with God get caught up because your a evil, bad person. We now have Christ. We have a NEW nature. How long are we going to cling to the old man? Sorry to brake it to you but the NEW man is not bad not evil but is GOOD! Is created in righteousness and true holiness. THATS what you are now. Like I said.. I give HIM all the glory and praise for ANY good I do. I KNOW its ALL HIM! You come before Him BOLDLY! If your not good..your not coming before Him.

Good
Christ said why call me good there is only one good thats the Father. Ok what happen before this verse? How did that man see "GOOD". Seems to me it was by achievements. Christ had him see the Father. Really? Christ that never sinned, forgives sins heals all and is saying Hes not good? He and the Father are one. If you seen Christ you've seen the Father. Who would ever say Christ was not good? "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." Someone forgot to tell Him

Hmmm

Facts the word of God is true. How long do you play this poor me, I'm a sinner saved by grace, still a sinner on and on. How long do we run with this?

I give Him all the praise and glory for any good I do. Yet I am not a puppet. He does not pull my strings. He gave me gifts. I can come boldly before His throne. I sit in heavenly places. At some point that righteousness, that light in us has to shine. So do you have to sin? We live in the flesh.. flesh loves to sin. We have that battle every day. How long are you going to use this as an excuse? He said... That ye put off concerning the former conversation the OLD MAN, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. So did you put off the old man and then be renewed in the spirit of your mind? And that ye put on the NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Even in the OT.. you don't walk with God get caught up because your a evil, bad person. We now have Christ. We have a NEW nature. How long are we going to cling to the old man? Sorry to brake it to you but the NEW man is not bad not evil but is GOOD! Is created in righteousness and true holiness. THATS what you are now. Like I said.. I give HIM all the glory and praise for ANY good I do. I KNOW its ALL HIM! You come before Him BOLDLY! If your not good..your not coming before Him.

Good
Christ said why call me good there is only one good thats the Father. Ok what happen before this verse? How did that man see "GOOD". Seems to me it was by achievements. Christ had him see the Father. Really? Christ that never sinned, forgives sins heals all and is saying Hes not good? He and the Father are one. If you seen Christ you've seen the Father. Who would ever say Christ was not good? "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." Someone forgot to tell Him

Hmmm...….Brother, I believe by your petulant way of responding to my post, you have proven my point.

 

[Lightskin]

As Christians we all claim to be good people.

Incorrect. I’m a poor excuse of a human being and an even poorer excuse of a Christian. I pray often asking God to cleanse my heart that is filthy beyond description. I take comfort knowing God’s grace is sufficient, but it doesn’t change the fact that I am far from good.

 

[Deuteronomy]

As I see it our Lord Jesus gives the honor of his own goodness to God, saying God is the good one. I see that our Lord Jesus was and is good, although the goodness of him would be ultimately from God.

Hello Mikko, the Lord Jesus told us that "no one is good except God alone" .. Mark 10:18, and you said that "our Lord Jesus was and is good".

I believe that both you and Jesus are correct (that 1. the Lord Jesus was and is good, and that 2. no one is good except God alone) because as a member of the triune Godhead, the Lord Jesus is, Himself, God (just like His Father and the Holy Spirit are God).

Here is one of many passages to consider that tells us about the Divine nature of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is also called the "Word".

John 1​

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was ~with~ God, and the Word ~was~ God.​

2 ~He~ was in the beginning with God.​

3 All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.​

4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.​

​

14 And the Word ~became flesh~, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.​

"No one is good except God alone". The reason that Jesus is good is because He is God, God the Son!

Unlike us, our one God exists from everlasting as three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is, for instance, in His name, the name of God, that we are commanded to baptize, and that ~singular~ name of God is, "the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" .. Matthew 28:19.

Jesus is God from everlasting and to everlasting, as there is only one God .. Isaiah 43:10. However, at His Incarnation, He became a man as well (by taking on a second, human nature so that He could die .. as a man .. on the Cross in our stead, and be the atoning sacrifice for our sins .. Romans 5:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:22). And because He is God, the whole of Creation worships Him, even the holy angels .. Hebrews 1:6 (we do not worship created beings, the whole of God's creation worships Him alone .. e.g. Revelation 22:8-9).

God bless you!

~Deut

 

[Micaiah-imla]

I’m a poor excuse of a human being and an even poorer excuse of a Christian.

Why?

I pray often asking God to cleanse my heart that is filthy beyond description.

On the contrary, the scripture tells you to purify and establish your heart:

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded (James 4:8).

Establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws near (James 5:8).

Here's some scripture that may or may not help you (I pray they do).

When we hear the word of God, the secrets of our hearts are made manifest (1 Cor. 14:24). So the filth in your heart is not beyond description. These secrets are manifest so that we can now overcome this filth by not obeying the desires of the heart (Eph. 2:3).

God gives us a new heart upon believing the gospel so that he can give us the earnest (or down payment) of the Spirit in our new clean heart (2 Cor. 1:22; Gal. 4:6). If we allow our hearts to be filled with filth again, this will grieve the Holy Spirit in your heart (Eph. 4:30).

Christ dwells in your heart by faith (Eph. 3:17). Christ will not dwell in a heart that is filthy beyond description. What fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14).

They only people who have filthy hearts beyond description are unbelievers, for:

Henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; Who...have given themselves over unto licentiousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Ephesians 4:17-19).

You must purge yourself (after believing) in order to call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

If a man therefore purge himself...he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and fit for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Finally, I leave you with:

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, then have we confidence toward God. (1 John 3:18-21).

With much love, friend.

 

[Lightskin]

Why?



On the contrary, the scripture tells you to purify and establish your heart:

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded (James 4:8).

Establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws near (James 5:8).

Here's some scripture that may or may not help you (I pray they do).

When we hear the word of God, the secrets of our hearts are made manifest (1 Cor. 14:24). So the filth in your heart is not beyond description. These secrets are manifest so that we can now overcome this filth by not obeying the desires of the heart (Eph. 2:3).

God gives us a new heart upon believing the gospel so that he can give us the earnest (or down payment) of the Spirit in our new clean heart (2 Cor. 1:22; Gal. 4:6). If we allow our hearts to be filled with filth again, this will grieve the Holy Spirit in your heart (Eph. 4:30).

Christ dwells in your heart by faith (Eph. 3:17). Christ will not dwell in a heart that is filthy beyond description. What fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14).

They only people who have filthy hearts beyond description are unbelievers, for:

Henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; Who...have given themselves over unto licentiousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Ephesians 4:17-19).

You must purge yourself (after believing) in order to call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

If a man therefore purge himself...he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and fit for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Finally, I leave you with:

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, then have we confidence toward God. (1 John 3:18-21).

With much love, friend.

Why? Because I yearn for God‘s vengeance upon evil people in a manner that outweighs my desire to pray for evil people.

I do pray God opens the hearts of people who don’t know him, yet my heart is cold for people who are hostile to Christ and His followers.

I also pray God softens my heart, but I’m just keeping it real and God knows that.

Now as far as the OP goes, are you good?

 

[Micaiah-imla]

Because I yearn for God‘s vengeance upon evil people in a manner that outweighs my desire to pray for evil people.

I know what you mean. Whenever this feeling used to trouble me, I'd hear the Lord saying to me, "Love your enemies, pray for them", and when I heard that voice come to mind, I immediately yielded to it. And if needed, confessed to the Lord these troubling thoughts that came to mind from time to time. Because, if you bear fruit, he will purge you that you may bring forth more fruit (John 15:2). Praise God through Jesus for that!

Now as far as the OP goes, are you good?

There is none good but one, that is, God (Matthew 19:17).

But we can certainly overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

And:

And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another (Romans 15:14).

 

[Lightskin]

I know what you mean. Whenever this feeling used to trouble me, I'd hear the Lord saying to me, "Love your enemies, pray for them", and when I heard that voice come to mind, I immediately yielded to it. And if needed, confessed to the Lord these troubling thoughts that came to mind from time to time. Because, if you bear fruit, he will purge you that you may bring forth more fruit (John 15:2). Praise God through Jesus for that!



There is none good but one, that is, God (Matthew 19:17).

But we can certainly overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

And:

And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another (Romans 15:14).

Thanks for sharing your insight, beloved. I will indeed continue to pray for warmth in my heart that I may pray for my enemies with sincerity. Peace be with you, and once again, thank you.

 

[Micaiah-imla]

Peace be with you, and once again, thank you.

You are most welcome in Jesus' name!

All glory to God. Peace!

 

[Micaiah-imla]

If a man therefore purge himself...he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and fit for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

I forgot to include the scripture reference for the above quoted.

It's 2 Timothy 2:21-22.