“No One Is Good but God”
Mark 10:18 (NASB1995): “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.”
Mark tells us about a young man who eagerly approached Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. He knelt before Him with respect and sincerity. But we can infer that he hadn’t heard Jesus say, just a few verses earlier, that anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a child—joyfully, innocently, and with simple faith—will never enter it (v.15). This young man believed the kingdom was something to be earned or purchased.
How many of us still think that way today? That being a “good person,” getting baptized, or being confirmed into a religious tradition will earn us a place in heaven?
In our human understanding, good can mean many things. We say someone is good at sports, good at music, or simply that they behave well. But Jesus challenges this understanding: “No one is good except God alone.”
God is not partial—He holds the same standard for everyone:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind... You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37, 39)
If you can do that perfectly, you can earn eternal life.
But wait a minute—you, like the young man, might be thinking: How can I possibly do that? You don’t know my neighbors. They let their dogs mess in my yard. They blast their music. They sin differently than I do. They’re unlovable!
And yet… God’s love covers even that.
The truth is you and I are unloveable too. We’ve all fallen short of God’s perfect standard. Thankfully, He doesn’t keep a running tally of our sins or favor those who attend church more often or donate more generously. No—even one sin is enough to separate us from God for eternity.
You might ask, “How can a loving God do that?”
But we must remember: sin was never God’s idea. It was humanity’s attempt to be like God, on our own terms. Since Adam and Eve, people have tried and failed to reach God’s standard.
The good news is that although we deserve judgment, God offers mercy through Jesus Christ. He shows mercy by not punishing us for our sin, and He shows grace by giving us salvation—something we could never earn.
So is it “be good and be saved”? No.
It’s even simpler than that.
It’s accepting a free, no-strings-attached gift: salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. You don’t need to be baptized, attend church regularly, or give money to receive it. You simply believe and trust in what Jesus has already done—that He died, conquered death, and rose again to bring salvation to a broken world.
You cannot earn grace. You cannot “do good works” to be saved.
“By grace you have been saved through faith; and that [faith] not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)
You may be thinking, “You don’t know what I’ve done—the things I still do. I’m not ready to give up the things God says are wrong.” But God already knows. He created you. He sees you. He loves you anyway.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Even knowing everything you would do, He still went to the cross. He still offers the gift.
“Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I praise You for Your mercy and grace toward me.
Thank You for the gift of salvation.
Please work in the hearts of those who don’t yet know You.
Ease their fears, answer their questions, and reveal Your love and goodness—for You alone are good.
Lord, Your return is near. Our time is short.
Remind us that today is indeed the acceptable day.
In Christ alone,
Amen.
