​January 17: No One Is Good Except God Alone

A man seeking to flatter Jesus or impress others calls Him good.  “And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Mark 10:18, ESV)

Jesus wasn’t denying being good…He was challenging the man’s flattering remarks to recognize that if He is good, He is God.  Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him and asked him a question, allowing the man to see that he himself did not measure up though he thought he did. And he went away sad because he trusted in his riches. If no one is good except God alone, where does that leave us?  It better leave us looking to God alone…the only one who is truly good!  We don't inherit eternal life or any promise of God by being good enough – we inherit it by trusting in the One who is truly good.

Prayer:  “Jesus, help me know that I will never be able to flatter you with my goodness; only look to You, who are good and be filled with wonder.”

Pause & Reflect:  Have you ever tried to impress God?  How did that work for you?  He is the One who is good and does good all the time.