"No one is good", according to the Bible

MOC · Mar 21, 2020

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!

Runningman · Mar 21, 2020

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21

"And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:10

"For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." Hebrews 10:14

Believers in Christ as their savior are perfect, righteous, and sanctified in God's eyes for all time.

Deuteronomy · Mar 21, 2020

Hello @MOC, I see that you are a new member here, so first off, welcome to CChat

I agree with you (as does the Bible), that we are all begotten as children of wrath, and that we are, therefore, without hope in this world apart from our Savior .. e.g. Romans 1:18-3:23; Ephesians 2:1-3.

God bless you! (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

~Deut

Romans 3

9 We have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;

10 as it is written,

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;

11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,

THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;

12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;

THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,

THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”

Roughsoul1991 · Mar 21, 2020

MOC said:

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!

Did you willingly write this or is this God writing through you? Is this the mind of God?

Christians who believe in free will and the choice to respond, are they saved even though believing differently?

If they are saved then has God contradicted Himself by the will and mind of other believers to contradict your beliefs?

Can you prove physically or mentally in absence of the interpretation of scripture that you in fact dont have free will?

In conclusion how do you evangelize? Do you choose who is elected? Do you know who God chooses? Or do you preach to all?

Deuteronomy · Mar 21, 2020

Roughsoul1991 said:

Hello Roughsoul1991, "free will" (as I understand it anyway) is defined as a person's ability to choose what they want most/according to their strongest inclination at a given moment in time.

I reread our new member's (@MOC's) OP, but I'm still confused. Where does he state that his will, though fallen/corrupted, is no longer "free" (that he no longer has, "free will")

Thanks

~Deut

Roughsoul1991 · Mar 21, 2020

Deuteronomy said:

In this sentence

This as he says we are TOTAL depraved.

MattforJesus · Mar 21, 2020

MOC said:

We can do good deeds that helps people but being in the flesh our motivation would be to make ourselves look good or some benefit for ourselves which then it does not qualify as true good.

Like rich people giving away money but it is for their benefit also for they are still rich and people who truly love people are not rich, but they only go by their needs, and helps the poor and needy.

Or people that say I love you, how are you doing, God bless you, hold a door open for someone, and things like that, wanting people to think they are a nice person, but then will not spend a dime to help the poor and needy.

And being in the flesh we cannot do completely good for we will show selfishness, and arrogance to some degree, and Paul said in the flesh dwells no good thing, and the Spirit and flesh are contrary to each other.

God said there is none that does good, no, not one, and our righteousness is as filthy rags so it is true.

Because you can only be good if you do good all the time allowing the Spirit to lead us, and then God gets the glory.

We are not considered good if we have a mixture of good and evil, for a little leaven leavens the whole bunch, and if you offend in the least of the law you offend in all the law.

And we know we have to have our sins forgiven and be led of the Spirit, so the good we do not confessing Christ does not qualify for us to obtain heaven.

Jesus even said to a man why call me good, when there is only one good, and that is God, which Jesus is God and man, so Jesus was speaking as the man Christ Jesus saying He only does good because God is causing Him to do good giving God the glory.

So without the Spirit we cannot do good as we should to obtain salvation, and with the Spirit we give God the glory that we are doing good because God is causing us to do good.

For a Spirit led life will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh, for they crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts, and show the ways of the Spirit and not the flesh, and God will not allow them to be tempted above measure and will give them an escape from the temptation so they can bear it.

JaumeJ · Mar 22, 2020

To the title: Many are counted righteous by our Father because of His Son, however it is true only our Maker is good.

Deuteronomy · Mar 22, 2020

Roughsoul1991 said:

Hello again @Roughsoul1991, one of the difficulties with a place like this is that we can't talk face to face as we try to understand one another (as I know you are already aware), and in this case, I think that it's the meaning of the term "total" that is causing the problem for us.

When @MOC uses the term "total" (unless I am misreading him), he seems to be referring to a type of human corruption or depravity that is "far-reaching" (rather than "all-encompassing") within us. IOW, he probably means what the church means (both Protestant and Catholic), that because of the Fall, every part of us, the whole/total person, has been touched or affected by the Fall, not that every part of us, our mind/heart/soul/body, is as thoroughly or utterly corrupt/depraved as it possibly could be.

Both Hitler's mind and heart were clearly depraved (and that more than most men). Nevertheless, he could have chosen to act differently towards the Jews than he did. If he could not, that would have meant that his mind and heart were completely/utterly overthrown, which would also mean that he could not be held accountable for his actions.

I should probably stop talking and wait for @MOC to explain what he meant instead

I'd also like to apologize ahead of time as I am so tired right now that I am probably not making very much sense (and if I discover that is the case tomorrow, I'll do my best to clear up any misunderstandings).

Stay safe/stay well.

God bless you!

~Deut

FlyingDove · Mar 22, 2020

Source: Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. GOOD: (Strong's #18 Adjective agathos - ag-ath-os) describes that which, being "good" in its character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect; it is used:

(1) in a moral sense, frequently of persons and things. God is essentially, absolutely and consummately "good," Matt. 19:17; Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19.

(NOTE) Traditionally, the adjective "good" was retained for speaking about God. No Jewish Rabbi/Teacher/Good Master/Doctor of the Law. Was called ""good"" by their pupils in direct address.

Matt 19:
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, "what good thing shall I do" "that I may have eternal life?"
(NOTE: What shall I DO that I may have eternal life)

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Romans 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
(NOTE: The young ruler believed HE could DO something to earn eternal life. As if eternal life could be inherited by some act of goodness. A common error of his whole upper class. Here the young ruler LITERALLY stumbled at that stumblingstone;

33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
(NOTE: Believe on/in HIM & HIS work and you'll avoid shame.)

FINAL POINT: Verse context is about the questioner's eternal life, not Christ's divinity. Jesus answer exposed the young mans heart. Fixed on his own self-righteousness, riches & wealth, not on God or Gods goodness.

Roughsoul1991 · Mar 22, 2020

Deuteronomy said:

I totally get that. I more or less was purposely committing a logic error in presuming the OP's thoughts hoping to get straight to where I disagree with the historical total depravity doctrine that is typical followed in the acronym as TULIP. This belief takes the free will from life of the human. The idea that we are totally darkened (also called total inability) that by God alone chooses who to be saved who not to be saved ( Unconditional election and limited Atonement) those that God chooses cannot resist God as in irresistible grace. And nor could they ever walk away as the preserverance of the saints.

So without going in all the details, theological differences, scriptures, and history. You can see how in the end basically to the tulip believers we do not have free will but in fact just living on a predetermined path where some of us was pre elected for Heaven or Hell.

MOC · Mar 22, 2020

Total depravity(I like using Human Depravity), is used to summarize what the Bible teaches about the spiritual condition of fallen man. Some people use the term "total inability" or "righteous inability", but no matter which name we use, when properly understood is an accurate way to describe what God's word teaches.
Human Depravity/Total Depravity does not mean that man is as wicked or sinful as he could be nor does it mean that man is without conscience or any sense of right or wrong. Man looks upon outward acts and judges them to be "good", where God looks not only the outward acts but also the inward motives that lie behind them. We are all sinners by nature and can't possibly be "good" at every waking moment of our lives. The idea that man by nature are sinners doesn't go along with a lot of religions today and is contrary to most philosophical views of the nature of mankind. God focuses more the human heart as the root cause for mankinds fallible nature rather than the environment in which we are in. God's sovereign grace and faith in Jesus Christ is mans only hope.
God bless!!

Whispered · Mar 22, 2020

MOC said:

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!

Do you claim to be good?

MOC · Mar 22, 2020

Nope I'm not. I fall short everyday.

Blade · Mar 22, 2020

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

pottersclay · Mar 22, 2020

Truth of the matter is you were not to greet a rabbi or scribe, Pharisee what have you in this manner. It was and is forbidden because God is the only good.
If it were anyone else other than Jesus being asked in this manner he would of been publicly scolded .
But Jesus used this to have this man examine himself as to how far he would go to enter the kingdom. His answer was "not outside my religious and traditional beliefs.

Deuteronomy · Mar 23, 2020

Blade said:

Hello Blade, which translation uses "Father", instead of "God", for θεός [theos] in Mark 10:18 or Luke 18:19

Thanks!

~Duet

Deuteronomy · Mar 23, 2020

Or is there perhaps a paraphrase that does (uses "Father", instead of "God", for θεός [theos])

Thanks again!

~Deut

Mark 10
18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone."

.

ArtsieSteph · Mar 23, 2020

Nope. We ain’t good either. The only good in us is what Christ has given, and our salvation is by His grace and the Holy Spirit. Our righteousness is literally “filthy rags” in the word. We can DO good things, but so can any evildoer anywhere.

MikkoAinasoja · Mar 23, 2020

MOC said:

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?

"No one is good", according to the Bible

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