<< Matthew 19:17 >>

Matt 19:17
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.
KJV
 

Matt 19:17
Jesus answered, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."
(from "The Everlasting Gospel", Copyright © 2000 by Freed-Hardeman University. All rights reserved.)

 

Comments:

"Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God"
At the time Jesus asked the rich young ruler this question, all authority had not yet been passed from God, the Father, to Jesus.  It is possible that the young ruler recognized Jesus for who He really was and Jesus realizing this, asked the question the way He did.  There is none good but God, so why are you calling me good? 

It stands to reason that Jesus was humbly giving all glory to God.  Jesus served as our perfect example in everything He did or said.  We are to give all glory to God, saving none for ourselves, and this was just Jesus' way of expressing this. 

Notice in the model prayer where Jesus was recorded teaching the disciples how to pray.

Matt 6:9-10
(9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
(10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
...&...
(13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
KJV

Jesus instructed His disciples to give all glory to God, the Father.  It was consistent to this teaching for Him to instruct the rich young ruler in the same way.

"but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
Salvation is a free gift, but it is not an unconditional gift.  Jesus did not qualify anything in this statement.  This is a broad, all inclusive, declarative comment by Jesus. 

If we are told to keep the commandments in order to live, then what happens if we don't? 

How many of the commandments must we keep in order to satisfy this requirement?

What commandments are excluded from this statement?

Those who believe and teach that obedience is not essential for salvation are in conflict with this statement by Jesus.  The word "If" makes obedience conditional.  The faithful Christian has no choice but to submit in compliance to this command or suffer the consequences of eternal separation from God.  Not only does the faithful Christian have an obligation to obedience, there is also an obligation to seek the will of God lest we be ashamed.

2 Tim 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
KJV

Additional scripture referencing obedience to commandments:

(Rev 1:3, Luke 11:28, Luke 6:46-49, Matt 7:21-27,John 14:23)
 

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