Understanding Jesus' Declaration: "none Are Good, No, Not One"

The words of Jesus in the Bible are profound and often leave us pondering their meanings. One such statement, found in the New Testament, is Jesus' declaration that "none are good, no, not one." These words can be challenging to understand, but they offer a valuable insight into the Christian perspective on human nature and the need for redemption. In this sermon, we will delve into the context and meaning of this statement and explore why Jesus said it.

The quote, "none are good, no, not one," can be found in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 10:18) and the Gospel of Luke (Luke 18:19). In both instances, Jesus uses these words during conversations with individuals who approach Him with questions about eternal life and righteousness. His purpose is to provoke reflection on the human condition and the nature of goodness.

In the encounter with the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22), the young man asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" To which Jesus responded, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone." Jesus wanted to emphasize that only God is inherently and perfectly good, highlighting the divine nature of goodness.

In Luke's account, a certain ruler asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Again, Jesus responded, "No one is good except God alone" (Luke 18:18-19). In this context, Jesus was stressing the same message: human goodness is relative and imperfect when compared to the absolute goodness of God.

To fully understand Jesus' statement, we need to recognize the biblical view of human nature. According to Christian theology, human beings are inherently flawed and fallen due to the original sin of Adam and Eve. This fallen state has marred human goodness, making it imperfect and subject to sin.

In Romans 3:10-12, the Apostle Paul echoes a similar sentiment: "As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." Paul emphasizes the universality of human sinfulness and the need for salvation through faith in Christ.

While Jesus' statement may seem disheartening, it is essential to remember that the Christian faith offers hope and redemption. The very reason Jesus came into the world was to provide a path to reconciliation with God. In His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus provided the means for humanity to be made righteous in God's sight.

Through faith in Christ, believers are justified and counted as righteous, even though they are not inherently good. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 3:22-24, "This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe... and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." This is the essence of the Christian gospel: that even though none are good by their own merit, God offers the gift of righteousness through faith in Christ.

Jesus' declaration that "none are good, no, not one" serves as a reminder of the imperfection of human goodness when compared to the absolute goodness of God. It underscores the need for redemption and salvation, which is found through faith in Jesus Christ. While recognizing our fallen state may be humbling, it also points to the incredible grace and love of God, who offers us a way to be reconciled with Him despite our inherent imperfection. As Anglicans, we are called to embrace this message of hope and share the good news of salvation with the world.