LIFEWORD: I Am a Good Person (and Other Lies People Believe)

By Kimberly Williams

In the Gospel of Luke, there is an account of a rich young ruler asking Jesus perhaps the most important question anyone could ask —“Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18). What is interesting to note is what Jesus did not say. He did not tell the young man that to have eternal life, he needed to pray, do certain works or join a church. Instead, He replied with a question. “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Jesus (lifeword.org/jesus-to-you) then listed some of the commandments — Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not lie and honor your father and mother. The young ruler insisted he kept all of these. Therefore, Jesus gets to the heart of the matter. “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).

We are told that the young ruler went away sorrowfully because he was very rich. There is little doubt that this young ruler believed he was a good person. In pride, he maintained he kept all the commandments from his youth. However, Jesus reminded him that God alone is good. The standard for good is not mankind. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10). To prove this point, Jesus directs the young man to the first commandment — “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exod. 20:3). This man’s wealth was his god. He loved it more than Jesus and would not part with it. He was not as good as he thought.

Proverbs 20:6 states, “Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness.” I am a good person, is what we tell ourselves. When the comparison is made between mankind, it is an easy lie to believe. But, when it comes to goodness, the only comparison we should make is between us and God. He is the standard and by that standard, there is none good but Him.

The enemy of man’s soul is masterful at telling lies. There are many out there. No matter how common a lie is, it is still a lie. Consider some other lies people believe paired with the truth found in God’s Word:

• Truth is subjective. Truth is not subjective. It is absolute. Jesus is truth, and His Word contains all truth. (John 14:6, 17:17)

• Your good works will get you to Heaven. Works can never save a person. Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. We are saved by grace through faith in Him alone. (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 5:2)

• You don’t need to repent. Just believe. Having a knowledge of Jesus is not enough. James 2:19 tells us that even the devils believe and tremble. God calls every person to repent (Acts 17:30).

• God wants me happy. Happiness is not the end goal of life. God wants you holy (I Peter 1:15).

• God could never forgive me. No sin is too great for God to forgive. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

• I have plenty of time to get right with God. You might not have tomorrow. God’s Word reminds us that life is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away (James 4:14). Today is the day of salvation.

We live in a time where falsehood is prevalent, and truth is obscure. But there is a way to discern the difference. Those who seek out the truth can know it. Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).