RUSSELL SANDERS
1-22-2025
THE MEANING OF GOOD

In Mark 10:17-18 we read that someone came to Jesus and said, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied [NKJV], “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.”

We often call something or a person “good” as an indication of our approval or our feeling. However, the true essence of “good” is seen through this scripture passage. It means perfection, without flaws or faults. Only God is purely good.

When we say that another person is good, it simply means that we approve of them, their character, or behavior. We are not saying they are perfect, because none of us are perfect.

God is the pure essence of all goodness. Anything good in us comes from Him alone. Our original sin nature from Adam contains no goodness. When we are regenerated [saved or born again] through the cleansing blood of Jesus, His goodness is imputed [imparted into] into us. Any goodness we display is because of Him and by the mercy of our Father above.

God is excellent and perfect. We are neither excellent nor perfect in and of ourselves. However, as born-again followers of Jesus, our Father sees us as perfect in Jesus Christ. We are clothed in the righteousness of Christ alone. In that sense, the Father can see us as good because of the righteousness, or goodness of Christ. Jesus is our righteousness. In Him alone are we good.

I am good. You are good. It is not because of any merit we have, but because of who we are in Christ.