There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 14
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. [Luke 18:18-19]
I have often wondered why Jesus responded to this seeker in this way.
After all, the man was probably being polite… and wasn’t Jesus good?
My sense is that Jesus is making a point, showing this man that he is not as good as he thinks he is.
All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. [Psalm 14:3]
David is not denying that there are righteous people on earth [see v.5], but he is expressing frustration that there are so few people committed to God and goodness.
Even among God’s people, so many have turned away from Him.
These are people who belong to Israel, who think they are good enough as they are.
But David is making a point, showing people that they are not as good as they think they are.
This same point needs to be made for us; we need to be challenged to consider the state of our own hearts and lives, and seek God’s mercy.
The ‘ruler’ that came to Jesus thought he was good enough as he was – “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. [Luke 18:21] – but Jesus knew better.
“You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” [Luke 18:22]
This “one thing” is huge; for all His religious and righteous behaviour, he did not care for people, he did not have compassion for the poor and needy.
You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. [Psalm 14:6]
God’s priority is people, in particular the weak and vulnerable.
We can be very religious – keep all the rules – and still lack “one thing”, the most important thing next to love for God… love for people.
Sin at it’s root is selfishness, and we’re all infect by it.
We all need God’s mercy, and we all need to show God’s mercy.
If we claim to rely on God’s mercy, yet refuse to show it, we reveal that our hearts are still sinful.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. [1 John 3:16-18]
PRAYER:
Lord, when I consider the kind of love You have shown me, the kind of love You expect of me, I realize that I am not good. I need Your mercy and Your help. Help me to know AND to show Your love, for this is what it means to be good.