@Christophany, responding to the second half of your post. I don’t know how I lost your quotes they are in bold.
No prophet, apostle or teacher has ever talked in this presumptuous way in which Jesus did in the gospels and especially in this passage in the synoptic gospel. The young ruler runs up to Jesus kneels to Him in worship and asks Him how can I obtain eternal life? Jesus answers back and said come "Follow ME!" Do you see what Jesus is claiming? He does not say, these are the teachings that God has given me or follow these rules and you will get into heaven. He did not say to follow God or submit to God. Jesus tells the man to follow Me! Only God has that prerogative.
You said no one ever spoke in a presumptuous way as Jesus spoke in the NT. (I only say what I hear My Father say, and I only do what I see My Father do)?
Christ said, My doctrine is not mine but His who sent me. It is His Doctrine. They asked countless times …what is this Doctrine this teacher teaches? Where did this man get this Doctrine from? “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,
which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified
it by his angel unto his servant John:”
Over and over Jesus said it didn’t come from men but that His doctrine come from God.
He was saying indirectly to the ruler, know that whom you are speaking to is God. He was letting the young ruler understand who he was talking to and addressing as good. Look at it this way, Is He saying He is not good, and therefore not God? Or is He saying that He is good, and the reason this man can call Him good is because He is God? I opt for the second statement.
The reason Jesus could be called good was for the Doctrine that is of and from God, and not of or from the doctrines of men. Another way to consider why he asked the man why do you call Me good?….could be what men call good is not always good. BUT what God calls…justified…sanctified …is enough. To me another point is not that the man called Jesus Christ good. But instead that God the Father called Him Good…even going as far as to say “This is My Son in whom I am
well pleased, hear Him.”
He always pointed to the Father. Even saying “Believe God” yet yes, the Father said also “This is My Son…Hear Him.”
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. |
How does one obtain eternal life?
Jesus confronted him with His Lordship when He said come and follow Me. Jesus confronted the man's sin of covetousness. It was a sin of indulgence and materialism. He was indifferent to people who were poor and in need. So Jesus gave him the ultimate test, would he obey His Lordship? The antis and non trins get all hung up on who is good and cannot see past the plank in their own eyes to see what one must do to be saved. They're still in an unbelieving state and miss out on eternal life from its very source, Jesus. Rather sad indeed.
If we further examine the context of the question asked by the young ruler in verse 13 we read; people were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.
What must we do to gain eternal life? To me it is active …as in actively seeking, a living Hope, that does not fail …Paul gives a perfect example in “we are glad when we are weak that you be made strong. Be you Perfected. Be you Made whole in Him.” …unless I misunderstood Paul is speaking to those who despise and condemn him. We debate blasphemy but do we fully get the magnitude that they are calling Paul a reprobate and as one in whom Christ does not speak. Basically saying Christ speaking in and through Paul is a liar, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Paul (Christ speaking in him) gaining (Christ increased being perfected in them) eternal life in their bearing fruit unto God. Paul (the strength of God in Paul who is weak in the flesh but works mighty in and towards them) forbearing(a Fruit of the Spirit of God) their condemnation and their testing of “we want proof Jesus Christ speaks in you”, trying…testing yet Paul stands unshakable—unmoveable— and in Faith (- Fruit of the Spirit of God) and Belief(a Fruit of the Spirit of God) and Trust(a Fruit of the Spirit of God), long-suffering(another Fruit of the Spirit of God) their desire to do evil against a brother in Christ praying they do no wrong but instead do what is right …waiting patiently (Fruit of the Spirit of God) in Hope (a Fruit of the Spirit of God) for their bearing New Fruit, Growth unto God…instead of fruit unto death. And also Charity towards another(Fruit of the Spirit of God). Consider if you saw a tree slowly dying and you nurtured it even though it was dried up, withering away, no greenery or buds in sight, many would call it “dead” “no chance for new growth” …but you kept having Hope in the feeding and watering of the tree. you see some sprouts, new shoots of signs of new growth spring forth unto life and not death…how joyful (Full of Joy, a fruit of the Spirit of God) you would be “a witness” that faith and belief and care and patience Bourne Fruit unto Life…increase…when what was considered dead showed tender buds of new growth…leaves sprouting, fruit appearing. To me that is what Paul is speaking in Christ, minding the things of the Spirit of God in trusting(not them but God who gives the increase), having Faith, having belief in Christ…through patience having her perfect work is witnessing …the appearance of Jesus Christ
in them bearing new growth and a tree flourishes counting it as a amazing sight.
My grandson dug up a little wild peach tree. He is sixteen. he replanted it where it can get sun. It has all but died. I mean it looks fully dead. BUT there are a few tiny springs of green shooting out on a few places. I tell him to not give up on it yet…it might just make it and live. In this I can relate to if I’m this excited and hopeful about a little peach tree having small signs of Life in it…how miraculous it would be to see what Paul was having hope, Faith, and belief was about to break forth in them, his brothers calling Paul no brother. How beautiful and admirable is Christ speaking in Paul says…calls for Fruit to come forth unto Life. Hoping. Desiring it. Which is not to curse them as hoping they bring forth death of the curse but Life unto God.
Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 "Why do you call Me good?" Jesus answered. Let’s see what question was asked of Jesus. How can I get eternal life?" is the question. "Follow ME!" is the answer that he gets from Jesus. Do you see what He is claiming? He does NOT say, these are the teachings that God has given Me. Follow these rules and you will get to heaven. He did not say, "follow God or submit to God", but he said "Follow ME!". Jesus is Lord and had the authority to ask of mankind, Follow Me!
John 8:14
" Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
John 8:18-20
18 I am one who testifies for Myself; My other witness is the Father, who sent Me."
19 Then they asked Him, "Where is your father?"
"You do not know Me or my Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew Me, you would know My Father also."
Luke 24:27
Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
Luke 24:44-45
44 Now He said to them, " These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
Yes this throws me. Because of the Doctrine is not mine but His who sent Me. he testifies of Me. If any man speaks of himself then you will know his doctrine is not true. The Father testifies of Me, I don’t speak of myself…but the Father has testified of Me.? Yes very confusing.