17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and motherWhile looking at the verses from 17-19, If Jesus actually meant that he was not good and eternal life comes by observing the commandments, wouldn't we expect Jesus's respond to be: okay since you kept all of the commandments you are on your way to heaven?
In verse 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me
In other words following the commandments is not enough you would have to give up everything for Jesus and follow him whole heartily.
Does this sound like someone who thinks that they are less than absolutely good?
Jesus is saying it is following him that will make you perfect and it is following me that will make you complete but you will have to give up everything even your riches for me, but the rich man was unwilling to do so, because he loved his money more than he loved God, money was his idol.
If he really thought Jesus was absolutely good he would give up his money for Jesus but Jesus was exposing his heart, basically he was pointing out to the rich man that he doesn't believe what he was saying about Jesus because if he did he would give up everything for Jesus. The man was simply giving lip service to Jesus.
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