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Title: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: wonderment on May 19, 2010, 11:58:58 PM
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. (Mark 10:18)

I heard a muslim man use this verse as his argument that Jesus was only a prophet and not God.
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: Kat on May 20, 2010, 12:46:48 AM

Hi wonderment,

This is from the 09 conference I think it will help you see why Jesus could not have been 'just' a man.

http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,11521.0.html ---------

Luke 18:18 And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
v. 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call Me good? There is none good, but one, that is God.

Some people would use that to prove that Christ cannot be referred to as God, because He said “only God (speaking of His Father here) is good.”  But when He said this, He had divested Himself of all His power and glory, so He was in human form in the weakened state of flesh.
v
Could a man, just a man now, be the Savior of the world?  See, if you’re going to argue that Jesus Christ was a man, only a man and nothing divine about him, there are all kinds of problems, just philosophically speaking.

Why would He have to be conceived by God?  Why?  He’s just a man and men are born all the time.  So we want him to be of the line of Judah.  All right, fine, let’s get a Jewish boy.  You get a Jewish boy and Jewish girl, we’ll marry them and they’ll have a baby boy and he’ll be the Savior of the world.  Why not?

Think about it.  Let’s think about all the words. Why did Jesus have to be conceived by His Father?  Why, if He’s just a man.  Jewish women have boys all the time.  If He had to be something special above a man, then He was no longer ‘just a man.’  Did I say something wrong?  If He had to be something more than a man, then He’s more than a man, He’s not just a man.

Is any Jewish boy’s life worth all the billions of humanity combined?  Is any Jewish boy worth that?  [attendee: No.]  How so?

Why didn’t God say, We need a Jewish boy… Jacobson, we’ll use you, we’re going to crucify you and you’re going to save the world that way. --  ‘Me?’
Yeah, what do you do for a living?  -- ‘I’m a carpenter.’
Yeah, that will do. You’re a carpenter, okay. We’ll kill you and that way I’ll save the whole world. --  ‘Of what value am I that my life is worth more than the whole world of humanity, billions of people?
What would God say?  Well yeah, you’re worth more than the rest of humanity put together. --  ‘How so? Why?’

So why was He conceived by God?  If God wanted a man He could have chosen any man.  If He wanted him to be born of a virgin… fine, he could be born of a virgin. But why did He have to be conceived by God Himself? WHY?
v
Hebrews 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
v. 29 how much worse punishment, do you suppose, shall he be thought worthy of, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, (that’s the blood of Jesus Christ) wherein He was sanctified, an unholy thing…

“An unholy thing” is the word ‘koinos’ (Strong’s 2839) it means common, something that is shared by all or several. 

In other words, just a man, same as any other man, common. It is also translated as ‘unclean’ when talking about ceremonial things.

Greek-English Keyword Concordance:
Common, belonging to all equally, by implication, NOT SACRED, contaminating (“to make common”).

Vines Concise Dictionary of the Bible:
Koinos - common, ordinary; belonging to the generality as distinct from something that is peculiar.

So it is, woe be if you consider the blood of Jesus Christ to be like any other man’s blood. Yet one man told me that ‘His blood was no better than mine.’ Whoa, I would fear to even think something like that, let alone say it.

He was not common. He was not what is shared by everyone.  It says

Php 2:7   …and took upon Him the form of a servant…

Rom 8:3  …God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh…

Heb 2:7  You made Him a little lower than the angels;

 He took on the form of a servant and He was made like unto sinful flesh and He was made a little lower than the angels… it’s not talking about somebody who came out in a natural childbirth.  He was MADE. The scriptures say He was “made a little lower (or for a little while lower) than the angels.”  WHY?  So He could die!
v
Heb 2:8  Thou hast put all things in subjection under his (humanity) feet. For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him (under humanity).
v. 9 But we see Jesus, who was MADE…

You see that word, He was MADE.  He wasn’t always that way. He had to be MADE that way.  Now, if He were just a man born of a woman, He wouldn’t have had to be made anything.  Any man born of a woman will die.  “It is appointed unto all men once to die,” but the only way Jesus could die was that God had to MAKE Him lower than the angels, so that He could die.  Are you following me? Does it make sense?  That Jesus was not ‘just’ born, before He got to the process of actually being born.  He had to be MADE something else from what He was.  WHY? Because what He was, He couldn’t die. God didn’t force this on Him.  We learn all through the scriptures, Jesus Christ ‘volunteered.’

John 10:17  Therefore doth my Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again.
v. 18  No man takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.

 He said nobody takes My life.  God the Father did not say, I’m going to sacrifice You, come hell or high water and You aren’t going to have nothing to say about it.  He said, “I lay down My life,”  “I” do it, He says.  He volunteered.

So, He was made a little lower than the angels for or because of the fact that He had to die.

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
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mercy, peace and love
Kat

Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: aqrinc on May 20, 2010, 02:34:23 AM

According to these Scriptures and many others, Jesus Christ Is God, so He Is The Good Master. That question was asking; Why call me Good Master, unless you know I am God, because Only God Is Good.

1Sa 2:2 (BBE)
No other is holy as the Lord, for there is no other God but you: there is no Rock like our God.

1Sa 2:6 (GNB)
The LORD kills and restores to life; he sends people to the world of the dead and brings them back again.

Mar 10:18 (BBE)
And Jesus said to him, Why do you say I am good? no one is good but one, and that is God.

Luk 2:11 (CEV)
This very day in King David's hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord.

Rom 8:9 (CLV)
Yet you are not in flesh, but in spirit, if so be that God's spirit is making its home in you. Now if anyone has not Christ's spirit, this one is not His."

From: WHO AND WHAT IS JESUS? & WHO IS HIS FATHER? . Nashville Conference 2007

http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4472.msg39178.html#msg39178

the section was taken from the Nashville notes]

"There is ONE GOD" (I Cor.8:5); "God is SPIRIT" (John 6:24);

"by ONE SPIRIT  baptized into one body" (I Co. 12:13);

"But he that is joined unto the Lord IS ONE SPIRIT" (I Cor. 6:17); "I and My Father are ONE" (John 10:30)

"There is ONE BODY, and ONE SPIRIT, even as ye are called in ONE HOPE, of your calling; ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL, Who is ABOVE ALL, and THROUGH ALL, and IN YOU ALL" (Eph. 4:4-6).

HENCE: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT JESUS, WE KNOW ABOUT HIS FATHER

Jesus spoke the words of His Father and did the works of His Father (John 14:10 & 14:24 & 5:19).

Jesus Christ "declares the FATHER" (John 1:18). And reveals the Father to whomever the Son desires (Matt. 11:27). Jesus was revealing the Father to the disciples His whole ministry, but Phillip missed is: (John 14:9-11). Remember when Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I AM"? (John 8:58). He was also revealing HIMSELF as the God of the Old Testament.

Jesus Christ IS THE GOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT!
He is THE GOD OF THE BIBLE!
Jesus Christ is the ONLY REVELATION OF GOD THAT WE HAVE.
Even the Holy Spirit we all have comes from God THROUGH Jesus Christ.
Jesus is that Comforter, that Spirit.
Our Saviour and our Brother.
The Son of God.

george :).


Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: soberxp on May 20, 2010, 03:16:38 AM
son of man and son of god.
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: G. Driggs on May 21, 2010, 04:17:57 AM
Jesus is humble and gives all the credit and glory to His Father.

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What is the gospel of the kingdom?......Mobile conference 05'

http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,6142.0.html

HUMBLE YOURSELF
                                   
I have read you what God has in store for us.  A kingdom of priests, royal, kingly, holy, Godly nation, special precious people unto God.  Judges, saviors, sons of God, lords, kings, you don’t get lifted any higher than that in the universe in all eternity ever.  That the pinnacle, that’s it that’s the ultimate height.
Now notice what James says. 

James 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

You’ve got to be humble, it’s of paramount importance.
But be careful how you judge people.  You know I can raise my voice, I can even be  a little sarcastic and some people think that is haughty.  But they don’t know me and that’s alright.  Sometimes when they go a little overboard on that, I copy and paste from my ‘Jesus Christ to the Pharisees.’  Where I just take out all the terms - hypocrites, lying two faced, blind guides, generation of snakes and I send it to them.  I say do you think Christ is humble?  “Well yea, He was.’  So you can lift your voice and call a spade a spade and still be humble?  ‘Well He can, but you can’t.’  Oh okay, but I thought we were suppose to be like Him?  Christ is the anointed and guess what?  So are we, we are the anointed, Christ lives in us. We are the heavens of the Father's dwelling place.
 
A friend of mine wrote a book, about how to leave church without leaving God or something like that.  He sent me the manuscript before it went to press. I said to him, you can’t say these things, I mean it had some really foul language.  I said you can not use language like that, it won’t fly.  I said to him, Paul said don’t let any filthy communication come out of your mouth (Eph. 4:29).  Do you know what his response was to me?  Well I’m not Paul and I don’t claim to be Paul. But what does the gospel of Paul say?   Follow me as I follow Christ.  We are suppose to be like Paul.  That’s not humble to say, well I’m not Paul or I’m no Christ. As He is so are we in the world.  Isn’t that what John said,

1 John 4:17  …because as He is, so are we in this world.

Peter said He left us an example, that we walk and we follow in His footsteps.

1Peter 2:21  For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps:

I mean we don’t even walk beside or behind Him, but in the same steps.

Mat 23:5  But all their works they do to be seen by men.

James 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Mat 18:2  And Jesus called a little child to Him and set him in their midst,
v. 3  and said, Truly I say to you, except you are converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of Heavens.
v. 4  Therefore whoever shall humble himself like this little child, this one is the greater in the kingdom of Heaven.

Humility, God loves humility.  When you see how weak you are, then God can show how strong He is.  But if you are the 99 that don’t need saving, you won’t be saved.
Christ said…

Mat 9:13   For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.

That's tongue and cheek.  There are no righteous, just those that think they are righteous.
Jesus said…

Mat 11:28  Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
v. 29  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek (Greek there is gentle and humble) and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus Christ was gentle and humble. 
Somebody just made the comment once to Him, they said “good master”  and He said whoa whoa slow down.

Mat 19:17  So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.

Don’t call Me good.  I mean if Jesus Christ says don’t even call Me good, that humility.  Because it isn’t that He didn’t know He did everything right and good, He just didn’t take credit for it.  It was all of God.
Come unto Me for I am gentle and meek and lowly and you shall receive rest unto your souls. 
Some people are in turmoil, they are in constant turmoil, they are not happy.  Why?  They are striving, they want to be happy.  Happiness it’s out there… it’s up there… it’s in the future, but they don’t have it. 

I was going to talk today about who wants to be happy.  But this one was going to be too long, so I scratched it.  It was going to be either the one on the destiny of women or who wants to be happy.  Happy lost. 

Be humble, be teachable, read it, see it, believe it, do it. 
I don’t assume that everything I teach is automatically perfect.  Certain things I know, I know when I’m on safe ground, I know.  I mean I’ve been around the block a few times and I’ve repented before God.  I understand spiritual principles, but I don’t claim to know it all.  But when you live by the Word, then you understand the doctrine.
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G.Driggs
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: wonderment on May 21, 2010, 02:46:44 PM
what if Jesus meant by "Why do you call me good, there is none good but God"

what if this was Jesus' way of telling the man that he was God without saying it directly.


In other words "If I am good, and there is none good but God... then ;) ;) ;) "


what do you think? wouldn't it be within Jesus' character to have meant this?
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: Dave in Tenn on May 21, 2010, 03:02:25 PM
what if Jesus meant by "Why do you call me good, there is none good but God"

what if this was Jesus' way of telling the man that he was God without saying it directly.


In other words "If I am good, and there is none good but God... then ;) ;) ;) "


what do you think? wouldn't it be within Jesus' character to have meant this?

Yes, I certainly think so.  I don't know of a time he spoke to any but his disciples with a straight, clear, unambiguous, literal answer.
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: Deborah-Leigh on May 21, 2010, 05:10:34 PM

The one that came running and kneeling in front of Jesus calling Him Good Master asked  "What shall I DO to inherit"....How good did he really think Jesus was?  If He KNEW JESUS, he may have asked Jesus to give Him what He needed instead of assuming he could do anything to get what only God can give!

Jesus told him that he lacked one thing.

Elsewhere in the Scriptures, there is one who wrongly assumed and offered to pay money for the Holy Spirit of God.

Act 8:20  But Peter said to him, May your silver perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  

Arc
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: mharrell08 on May 21, 2010, 05:21:37 PM
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. (Mark 10:18)

I heard a muslim man use this verse as his argument that Jesus was only a prophet and not God.


Because He 'emptied Himself' or divested all His power and glory which He had before:

Phil 2:6-8  although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross [ASB]

John 17:5  O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Matt 28:18  Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth

This simple word 'good' was in reference to all omnipotence, glory, and honor (up to and including immortality), which Christ divested Himself of in order to die. Ray goes over this and much more detail, though from a slightly different angle, in his 2009 Conference study 'Is Jesus God?': http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,11521.msg99625.html#msg99625


Hope this helps,

Marques
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: daywalker on May 26, 2010, 12:50:32 AM
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. (Mark 10:18)

I heard a muslim man use this verse as his argument that Jesus was only a prophet and not God.


During a study I'm currently doing a noticed a few translations that word this passage a bit different. I recalled this post and thought these translations may help:


English Standard Version:

Matthew 19:16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" 17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."


Concordant Literal New Testament:

Matthew 19:16 And lo! one coming to Him said, "Teacher, what good shall I be doing that I should be having life eonian? 17 Yet He said to him, "Why are you asking Me concerning good? One is good. Yet if you are wanting to be entering into life, keep the precepts."


Rotherham's Emphasized Bible:

Matthew 19:16  And lo! one coming near unto him, said, Teacher! what good thing shall I do, that I may have life age-abiding? 17 And, he, said unto him—Why dost thou question me concerning that which is good? There is, One, that is good! But, if thou desirest, into life, to enter, be keeping the commandments.


**NOTE:

-- In NEITHER of these translations does the man call Jesus "Good" Teacher... but just "Teacher"

--Jesus' response is essentially, 'you already know what God's commandments are, so why are you asking me?'


Thought this would help clear the air... Daywalker  8)

Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: GinaMilan on May 26, 2010, 03:31:17 AM

The one that came running and kneeling in front of Jesus calling Him Good Master asked  "What shall I DO to inherit"....How good did he really think Jesus was?  If He KNEW JESUS, he may have asked Jesus to give Him what He needed instead of assuming he could do anything to get what only God can give!

Jesus told him that he lacked one thing.

Elsewhere in the Scriptures, there is one who wrongly assumed and offered to pay money for the Holy Spirit of God.

Act 8:20  But Peter said to him, May your silver perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  

Arc

That totally nails it.  Pieced together very nicely, as per usual, Arc.

I don't know if this helps, but I also imagined that since he was a rich ruler on earth, he figured heavenly rule would make him even richer (literally)?

But Jesus, hearing from His Father ("as I hear I judge" John 5:30) totally nailed the young man's true motives and what was most important to him (money).  

And this I distinctly recall; and maybe you all remember Ray pointing out somewhere on his site or on an audio when he reminded us that Jesus, being full of compassion, was looking at the rich young ruler and loved him":

Mark 10:21 (KJV)   Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Mark 10:21 (CLV)  Now Jesus, looking at him, loves him, and said to him, "Still one thing you are wanting.

I remember reading that for the first time about 10 years ago and it gave me chills.

Anyhoo....  That's all I wanted to say.  



Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: GinaMilan on May 26, 2010, 03:41:18 AM
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. (Mark 10:18)

I heard a muslim man use this verse as his argument that Jesus was only a prophet and not God.


During a study I'm currently doing a noticed a few translations that word this passage a bit different. I recalled this post and thought these translations may help:


English Standard Version:

Matthew 19:16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" 17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."


Concordant Literal New Testament:

Matthew 19:16 And lo! one coming to Him said, "Teacher, what good shall I be doing that I should be having life eonian? 17 Yet He said to him, "Why are you asking Me concerning good? One is good. Yet if you are wanting to be entering into life, keep the precepts."


Rotherham's Emphasized Bible:

Matthew 19:16  And lo! one coming near unto him, said, Teacher! what good thing shall I do, that I may have life age-abiding? 17 And, he, said unto him—Why dost thou question me concerning that which is good? There is, One, that is good! But, if thou desirest, into life, to enter, be keeping the commandments.


**NOTE:

-- In NEITHER of these translations does the man call Jesus "Good" Teacher... but just "Teacher"

--Jesus' response is essentially, 'you already know what God's commandments are, so why are you asking me?'


Thought this would help clear the air... Daywalker  8)




Thank you for pointing that out, Daywalker.  It's Mark's account which uses the term, "Good Teacher" (or Good Master).  I just realized this myself.  So thank you.

Mark 10:17 {ESV} And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Mark 10:17 {CLV} And at His going out into the road, lo! one certain rich man, running toward Him and falling on his knees before Him, inquired of Him, "Good Teacher! What shall I be doing that I should be enjoying the allotment of life eonian?"  18 Now Jesus said to him, "Why are you terming Me good? No one is good except One, God.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to Rotherham's, so I can't check Mark's account in that translation. 

Anyway.  Thanks again, Daywalker!
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: Deborah-Leigh on May 26, 2010, 08:36:23 AM
Heart ~ While yet we are sinners He loves us too.  8) :)

Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
 
This gives us Hope!

Mind ~ The one thing thou lackest IS JESUS CHRIST who had not yet been crucified for this brother who was seeking, knowing that something was missing in his life. He did not know What or WHO it was that he lacked.

Have you ever heard it said from those who have “got everything that money can buy”….Cant buy me love…. 8) 8) (Beatles lyrics)  :D

Have you ever sensed or felt the pain in outwardly  well groomed, well lacquered manicured people of external glitz and glamour, that are at heart, blind naked and wretched not knowing the fruit of His Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Patience and Endurance ~ Not knowing WHO they lack, and What they lack, and despising  and blaming God, remaining blind as per the Plan of God for them. 

God brings us to His Mercy and Goodness and until our repentance through Grace and the Goodness of God comes to us, we can not see that the false and posed happiness and elation of the porn trap that captures many, is and can be applied to anything in life that is worldly, temporal and has not the love of God in it.

Arc
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: mharrell08 on May 26, 2010, 10:21:22 AM
**NOTE:

-- In NEITHER of these translations does the man call Jesus "Good" Teacher... but just "Teacher"

--Jesus' response is essentially, 'you already know what God's commandments are, so why are you asking me?'


Thought this would help clear the air... Daywalker  8)


While these particular passages do not have the young ruler refer to Jesus as 'good', in all 3 Jesus does state there is One who is good and this is talking about God. I agree with your explanation of what Jesus response means, but I would add that He still nonetheless refers to One who is Good.


Marques
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: GinaMilan on May 26, 2010, 12:50:37 PM
I'm still studying these out, so your patience and correction are appreciated.   Hopefully what I say below doesn't sound as though it contradicts what Marques pointed out, above:

"This simple word 'good' was in reference to all omnipotence, glory, and honor (up to and including immortality), which Christ divested Himself of in order to die. Ray goes over this and much more detail, though from a slightly different angle, in his 2009 Conference study 'Is Jesus God?'"

Source http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,11521.msg99625.html#msg99625

Okay, this is how it sounds to me:
 
Jesus was saying to the man, "Why do you call me "good" when you don't even know what 'good' (God) is/does, and I can prove it to you:    Go sell all you possess and give your money (the thing that rules you) to the poor."   Jesus [who is God in the flesh] comes to serve, not to be served. But "service to others" by "emptying" himself was not "good" in the ruler's vocab.  (I'm not judging.)

I know that Jesus emptied Himself in order that He could die (because God can't die).  And Ray points out these things in the 2009 Mobile Conference:

"God is a Savior, but so is Jesus. How is He a Savior?  It’s one of those many things that God possesses that He gave to the Son.  Everything that God has He gave to the Son.  That’s how Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Him and they are ONE.   One person? No. One what? One God? YES!

Mr. Buzzard says, “they’re one unified spirit; they’re one in spirit.”  Excuse me, what is God?  SPIRIT.  I and My Father are one spirit?  “God IS spirit” (John 4:24).  I and My Father are ONE GOD.  Can two individuals be one individual? No. Can two individuals be one God? Yes.  Yes, they can."

“GOD IS SPIRIT” (John 4:24)
“I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE” - ONE WHAT? One GOD or One SPIRIT? Excuse me!! ‘GOD IS SPIRIT” (John 4:24)!!
How many “Gods” are there? ONE
How many Gods does Jesus AND His Father make? ONE  

Source:  http://bible-truths.com/audio/Worship.mp3 (http://bible-truths.com/audio/Worship.mp3) - audio 1 Mobile Conference 2009

I realize Jesus is very humble,  and doesn't take credit for the things that God does through Him ("I can of my own self do nothing"), but Jesus did say "I and My Father are One; He didn't say will again be One [God], or were One [God] at one time before I emptied Myself.  

I'm beginning to view what Jesus said to the ruler as being an examination, rather than a revelation of Who God is, when Jesus said, "Why do you call Me good?  One is good, that is God." (“I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE”)

I believe the Father simply had no desire to reveal Jesus as God to the rich young ruler, since the ruler had no desire to know what good really is/does.

I love studying with you all.  Thank you again for your patience!!
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: mharrell08 on May 26, 2010, 01:15:42 PM
I'm still studying these out, so your patience and correction are appreciated.   Hopefully what I say below doesn't sound as though it contradicts what Marques pointed out, above:

"This simple word 'good' was in reference to all omnipotence, glory, and honor (up to and including immortality), which Christ divested Himself of in order to die. Ray goes over this and much more detail, though from a slightly different angle, in his 2009 Conference study 'Is Jesus God?'"

Source http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,11521.msg99625.html#msg99625

Okay, his is how it sounds to me:
 
Jesus was saying to the man, "Why do you call me "good" when you don't even know what 'good' (God) is/does, and I can prove it to you:    Go sell all you possess and give your money (the thing that rules you) to the poor."   Jesus [who is God in the flesh] comes to serve, not to be served. But "service to others" by "emptying" himself was not "good" in the ruler's vocab.  (I'm not judging.)

I know that Jesus emptied Himself in order that He could die (because God can't die); however, Ray points out these things in the 2009 Mobile Conference:

"God is a Savior, but so is Jesus. How is He a Savior?  It’s one of those many things that God possesses that He gave to the Son.  Everything that God has He gave to the Son.  That’s how Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Him and they are ONE.   One person? No. One what? One God? YES!

Mr. Buzzard says, “they’re one unified spirit; they’re one in spirit.”  Excuse me, what is God?  SPIRIT.  I and My Father are one spirit?  “God IS spirit” (John 4:24).  I and My Father are ONE GOD.  Can two individuals be one individual? No. Can two individuals be one God? Yes.  Yes, they can."

“GOD IS SPIRIT” (John 4:24)
“I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE” - ONE WHAT? One GOD or One SPIRIT? Excuse me!! ‘GOD IS SPIRIT” (John 4:24)!!
How many “Gods” are there? ONE
How many Gods does Jesus AND His Father make? ONE  

Source:  http://bible-truths.com/audio/Worship.mp3 - audio 1 Mobile Conference 2009

I realize Jesus is very humble,  and doesn't take credit for the things that God does through Him ("I can of my own self do nothing"), but Jesus did say "I and My Father are One; He didn't say will again be One [God], or were at one time before I emptied Myself One [God].  

I'm beginning to view what Jesus said to the ruler as being an examination rather than a revelation of Who God is when Jesus said, "Why do you call Me good?  One is good, that is God."  I believe the Father simply had no desire to reveal Jesus as God to the rich young ruler, since the ruler had no desire to know what good really is.

I love studying with you all.  Thank you again for your patience!!


And one other point to keep in mind is that 'God' is not a name, but rather a title. This title, and all its power and glory, is what Paul tells us that Jesus emptied or divested Himself of [Phil 2:6-8]. That is why the Lord prays that the Father restore Him to the glory that He once had [John 17:5]. To 'once had' something implies that He did not have it at this time.

I realize Jesus is very humble,  and doesn't take credit for the things that God does through Him ("I can of my own self do nothing"), but Jesus did say "I and My Father are One; He didn't say will again be One [God], or were at one time before I emptied Myself One [God].

Jesus did not need say these things in these exact words. He and His apostles state them in other places, throughout the NT. We are told that Jesus was made 'a little lower than angels' [Heb 2:9], that He emptied/divested Himself [Phil 2:6-8], that all power in heaven & earth was 'given' back to Him [John 17:5, Matt 28:18].

As I said earlier, Jesus 'gave up' all omnipotence to be made into a man who could die. As the apostles tell us, 'all things consist by Him' [Col 1:17]. If, as God while He was flesh, all things consisted by Him, how would they consist when He died? All things continued to consist by His Father and this sovereign power was 'given' back to Jesus in His resurrection [again Matt 28:18].


Hope this helps,

Marques
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: Deborah-Leigh on May 26, 2010, 03:49:26 PM
Like Father, like Son!  8)

Jesus is like His Father in All Ways yet He is NOT His Father.

I think you are right about the fact that Jesus did not give the man the understanding required to obey, see or hear or follow Him.

Luk 19:42  "O that at this time thou hadst known--yes even thou--what makes peace possible! But now it is hid from thine eyes.  

And the man went away sorrowful after hearing that he lacked one thing which was the Spirit of Christ to make him able to see, know and understand, obey and follow. It was not given to him. Not then anyway.

1Co 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.   :)

Arc
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: GinaMilan on May 26, 2010, 06:13:17 PM
Like Father, like Son!  8)

Jesus is like His Father in All Ways yet He is NOT His Father.

Arc

Righty-O, Arc.  Jesus is definitely not His [own] Father.    I hope it doesn't appear to anyone that I was saying that. 

And still, one of Jesus' titles is "Father":

(Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

I'm guessing the "shall be called" all these titles apply to Him in His present state of glory and not in His earthly ministry?  (Have I just completely hijacked this thread?)

Thanks!
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: GinaMilan on May 26, 2010, 06:54:58 PM
(Again, I hope I haven't hijacked this thread.)

Hi, Marques

You were saying how He
Quote
emptied/divested Himself [Phil 2:6-8], that all power in heaven & earth was 'given' back to Him [John 17:5, Matt 28:18].

As I said earlier, Jesus 'gave up' all omnipotence to be made into a man who could die. As the apostles tell us, 'all things consist by Him' [Col 1:17]. If, as God while He was flesh, all things consisted by Him, how would they consist when He died? All things continued to consist by His Father and this sovereign power was 'given' back to Jesus in His resurrection [again Matt 28:18].

Right -- God's a title and Jesus emptied Himself of all His omnipotence (i.e., power in heaven and earth) to be made a man/flesh.  Got it.  

And now I just noticed something I never noticed before in John 17:5.  (I'm really hesitant to say what I'm thinking.   It's just a thought.   I'm not here to cause anyone to stumble.)  It says:

"And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."

I automatically presumed that Jesus emptied Himself of all power and glory in the moments directly preceeding His being sent, His literal conception, right before He became "flesh."  But now that I've taken another look, "that I had with thee before the world" sounds like He emptied Himself way before that.  (Maybe "world" is a mistranslation?  I have to check a Strong's.)  

Thanks for your ongoing patience and help with this verse, Marques.  
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: mharrell08 on May 26, 2010, 08:39:08 PM
And now I just noticed something I never noticed before in John 17:5.  (I'm really hesitant to say what I'm thinking.   It's just a thought.   I'm not here to cause anyone to stumble.)  It says:

"And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."

I automatically presumed that Jesus emptied Himself of all power and glory in the moments directly preceeding His being sent, His literal conception, right before He became "flesh."  But now that I've taken another look, "that I had with thee before the world" sounds like He emptied Himself way before that.  (Maybe "world" is a mistranslation?  I have to check a Strong's.)  

Thanks for your ongoing patience and help with this verse, Marques.


No worries Gina, this has been a fruitful discussion I believe...not one of strife that the forum has had in past threads.

Jesus prayed to the Father to be restored with the glory which He had before the world was. But He does not say the glory that He 'only' had before the world was. The glory that Jesus speaks of was given to Him, by the Father, before the world was. And by this glory and power Jesus created all things:

Eph 3:8-9  Unto me [Paul], who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ

Col 1:16-17  For by Him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

Rev 4:11  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Remember, the only reason Jesus voluntarily gave up all that was given to Him by the Father was for the express purpose of being able to die:

Phil 2:8  being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross

Heb 2:9  we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death


Hope this helps,

Marques
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: GinaMilan on May 27, 2010, 12:06:15 AM
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. (Mark 10:18)

I heard a muslim man use this verse as his argument that Jesus was only a prophet and not God.

Okay, I don't know about anyone else, but I'm learning to "always be prepared to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you."   1 Pet. 3:15

And since the original poster wasn't asking a question, I see no reason to respond.  ;)

Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: GinaMilan on May 27, 2010, 01:02:31 AM
Yes, Marques, you're helping a lot!

Quote
Jesus prayed to the Father to be restored with the glory which He had before the world was. But He does not say the glory that He 'only' had before the world was.

Okay, right:  "a statement of fact is not a statement of limitation."
 
I've been at BT site for seven years and the most basic, elementary things are only now clicking.  (It's comforting to know that "not many wise are called."  ha)

Listen to this bit of "wisdom":  All this time, I have been mistakenly thinking that Jesus became the only begotten Son of God at the very moment He became flesh (conceived in Mary's womb).  Obviously that's incorrect.  He became the only Begotten Son of God from the moment He came out from the Father (duh), which took place before the world began.  (And, yes, in case there's any misunderstanding, I am aware that God was not always a Father, but became a Father after Jesus came out from Him.  I hope that made sense.)  

My misunderstanding stems from the fact that Christendom never taught that Jesus was the God of the OT, or that He even came out from the Father as a created being (He just always was...).   So when I heard for the first time that Jesus was the God of the OT (the Word/Jehovah/Creator), I believed that, but I also inadvertently limited Him in my mind's eye to those things and neglected to include the fact that He was still the Son of God (and always will be).

I don't know about the original poster, but I'm satisfied that Jesus is God and is the Son of God and was the Creator and the God of the OT (the Word) and that He emptied Himself of the Glory he had with His Father before the world began, in order to be made flesh and carry out His earthly ministry humbly so that He could die as a human.   I don't know exactly when He emptied Himself, but....

"I won't think about that today, I'll think about that tomorra.  ~Scarlett O'Hara   ;D

"But though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more."  (2 Cor. 5:16)  He is risen.

Thank you again for your attention to my questions, Marques.  I think I'm finished here unless you have anything you want to confirm or correct.  I'd appreciate that too.

Gina


UPDATE:  I've been saying, above, that Jesus was the Creator since He did the creating, but I just noticed something I missed in the 2007 Nashville conference that Ray points out:  "Who is the Savior of the world?  Jesus Christ.  God is the Savior of the world!  Yes Jesus Christ is the channel through who it comes.  But God almighty is the Savior of the world.  He’s also the Creator.  We are actually going to find out, who actually did the creating?  Christ. But who is the Creator?  God the Father, ok. "  
Source:  http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4472.0.html (http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4472.0.html)
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: mharrell08 on May 27, 2010, 01:28:28 AM
Thank you again for your attention to my questions, Marques.  I think I'm finished here unless you have anything you want to confirm or correct.  I'd appreciate that too.

Gina


Glad to have helped...all glory to God.  :)


Marques
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: Deborah-Leigh on May 27, 2010, 06:04:53 AM
Quote
Righty-O, Arc.  Jesus is definitely not His [own] Father.    I hope it doesn't appear to anyone that I was saying that. 


You do not appear to me that you are not understanding or that you lack in the preparations for comprehending who God is. You are well studied, well enough groomed in spirit and in Truth Dear Gina, to be recognised by me as a child of the Kingdom of God. Rest, then assured. Others may not find you to be a child of God but those others you are not among!

Your point that

Quote
And still, one of Jesus' titles is "Father":

is evidence of your grooming, fidelity and comprehensive insight into the Ways and Purposes of God who is Father of ALL with His Son as our Father and the Father of Jesus Christ as His Father who dragges us to His Son.

Jesus Christ is our Father and His Father is The Great Grand Father of ALL. 8)

Amen
Arc
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: GinaMilan on May 27, 2010, 11:19:55 AM
Thank you, Arc. :)
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: GinaMilan on May 28, 2010, 01:29:35 AM
Hi there, John

I hope all is well with you.  I realize your question was for Deb, but since it's only 5:10 a.m. her time , and since I was the one who brought the Isaiah verse up, I hope you and Deb won't mind me jumping in here?  Maybe this will help -- it's a second witness that I honestly never noticed before.  Ray brought it up at the Mobile Conference and when he did that, I felt safe repeating and believing it:

So, let’s think for a moment on who or what is God the Father, okay. He’s the brains behind everything.  Am I right?  He’s the Supreme Deity of the universe, God the Father.  He’s all powerful, all knowing, all wise, omnipotent, right?  All loving, all caring, all those things. Is there anything else that you can think of that God is?  You might say, ‘well, He’s a father and Jesus isn’t a father.‘  Oh yeah? Read Isaiah.

Isa 64:8  But now, O LORD, You art our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and we all are the work of Your hand.

Source:  http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,11521.0.html (http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,11521.0.html)


2 Corinthians 6 (NIV)

As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

 17"Therefore come out from them
      and be separate, says the Lord.
   Touch no unclean thing,
      and I will receive you."
 18"I will be a Father to you,
      and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

And further, Paul was a father to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 4:15 (Amplified)  After all, though you should have ten thousand teachers (guides to direct you) in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the glad tidings (the Gospel).

Paul said, follow me as I follow Christ  

1 Corinthians 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.  

And since Paul was following Christ and became a father to the Corinthians, and us too, we will be become [like?] fathers, that is if we are to be in the image of Jesus Christ Who is Himself the express image of His Father.  We're going to be made into Their image, so it follows that we should have all of Their attributes.  

This doesn't detract from God the Father, I don't believe.  And Jesus is many things in addition to being a Father.

I hope that helps a little.

Kind regards,
Gina

Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: Stacey on May 28, 2010, 02:09:51 AM
Hi Gina, good find there. I see Ray's words and the Scripture you quoted right in front of me but now questions are coming up in my head. Gonna have to read over it probably many more times before it sinks in.  :)
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: G. Driggs on May 28, 2010, 02:16:11 AM
Another witness:

Jer 31:9  They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

God the Father and God the Son are One God, one Spirit.

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http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4472.0.html

[Someone says;  Isa 9:6  For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.]
Some will say wait a minute, “The everlasting Father?”  Christ (Jehovah) says, He was a Father to Israel.  He’s the eonian God to Israel.  So are we understanding God better?

Okay, let’s take this a little farther.  We read about God/Elohim, we learn about the Lord God - Jehovah/Elohim, and sometimes we hear about El.
Now we know in the garden, Christ... though Jehovah is doing the talking, because no man has ever heard God the Father.  So the Lord God (Jehovah/Elohim) said unto the woman, “and the Lord God said…”  Why did He say ‘said’?  Because He’s the spokesman, He’s the Word.  He’s the Word of who?  Elohim, and He is Jehovah/Elohim and His Father is Elohim.  There is only one Elohim.  So it’s the Lord God - Jehovah/Elohim.

When we come to the NT then we read about God.  Jesus Christ said, they ask Him what is the greatest commandment,  He said “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt 22:37).  The Greek says, you shall love the Kurios your Theos with all your heart and so on.

Kurios/Theos… who was He talking about?  The Father.  He’s quoting the OT, that comes out of Deuteronomy, where Jehovah Himself says, “You shall love the Lord your God” (Deu 6:5).  Not Kurios/Theos,  but Jehovah/Elohim.

Well who are we to worship with all our heart?  Jehovah/Elohim or Kurios/Theos of the NT, who we know is the Father.  But Jehovah/Elohim (where it’s quoted from the OT), is Jesus Christ.  Who is it talking about?  It’s always talking about BOTH.  ALWAYS!

Even though we give Jesus the designation Jehovah/Elohim, it still includes the Father.  Why?  Because there is only ONE Elohim!  He is the Jehovah, one God - there is the Father, one God and together they are the one God.  You just have to believe the scriptures.

John 10:30  I and My Father are one.

One what?  One God and it’s understood, We are one... one God.  We two, are one.  Whenever two are of the same mind and spirit, they are considered one.
 
Now we only have one analogy of that in the scripture, and it’s of a husband and wife.  Isn’t it interesting when He says that they are joined together.  Because when you are joined together, it’s like you stick a plug in the wall.  The plug that you stick in is the male and the wall plug is called the female.  So it’s when a man and woman join there bodies.  They are literally inside of each others body, they are one, see, literally they are one.  That is the most intimate relationship there is, on the human plain, sexual intercourse with a man and a woman, you literally become one body.  Because it signifies being one in Spirit.  But Paul says he speaks of this concerning Christ and the church in Ephesians.  He says this is a great mystery.

Eph 5:28  So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.
v. 29  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

See the connection.

Eph 5:30  For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
v. 31  "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
v. 32  This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

So what is it about Jesus and His Father, that make them one?  I mean they don’t have a sexual union, they are both masculine.  How do they be, one?  There is one other all encompassing factor….. they are one Spirit!

You could get a superficial feeling of this, when you have a group of men in the army, let’s say the navy seals or somebody. They are so precisely trained to do one job together, that 6 of them function as one, see. They are multiple individuals, but function as one.  We call it, I think it’s Latin, Esprit de corps….. the spirit of the corps, the group.  That’s what Jesus Christ and God His Father have, they have a lot of Esprit de corps.  They are one Spirit, it’s the same spirit and it’s the same spirit of perfection wisdom and knowledge, love and power.  Same Spirit!  How could they both have that and not be God?  But there is only one Spirit.
Wherever God gives His spirit in this room, it’s all the same spirit.  Those of us who have that spirit, have a certain Esprit de corps with one another.  Now we don’t do it as well, I realize that and some of us are virtually strangers.  But if we can talk to each other for an hour or so and know that we have that bond.  You would trust me and I would trust you anywhere.  Why?  Because you have the spirit of God.  
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Hope this helps John.

Peace, G.Driggs
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: GinaMilan on May 28, 2010, 02:23:27 AM
Yeah, Stacey, it never gets boring.

Seriously, G. Driggs, that's fantastic.   (Kat, once again, thank you for typing those videos up!)
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: Deborah-Leigh on May 28, 2010, 08:42:15 AM
Hey John

Another thing I enjoy about you, is your mature approach and adult contribution.  Not afraid to say something. I see strenght of Spirit. Not picky at all.  :) I know you better than that!  Your view point has a harmonious  application to improve, motivate and encourage understanding to not stand still or sink. I appreciate and have cause to consider what you are meaning or pointing out... :)

Gina, the best things happen when I am fast asleep...  :D...that excerpt goes very well with what I was seeing before John contributed another thought to the process of seeing as ONE. We are children, brothers, sisters, Sons, Daughters and then the Wife of Christ as His Church that has come out of legalism and the criteria of humanism. The carnal lusty, cranky, picky choosy, sniveling, bickering old man(woman) is behind us and we move in the comprehensive insight that we are, WE are, you, I, John, Kat….the believers….of One are ONE. Like the marriage of male and female there is no longer two but one and we as sons, daughters and brothers and sisters become One in the Mind and Spirit, Heart and Soul of our Creator who is our Husband. The lust of the flesh, the deceptions of the lust of the eyes, appearances and divisions, the pride of life to defend, compete, be right, not be wrong, be better not worse, be higher not lower, the head not the tail desires for achievement of man lies dead behind us as we understand our unity in Spirit and in Truth that the Father of our Lord, is seeking as we learn to helplessly worship, blindly obey and irresistibly manifest His Spirit and His Truth. God all in all.

For there  is now no longer male and female…..

What you contributed G Driggs

Quote
It’s always talking about BOTH.  ALWAYS!

WE, you, I, us have to always include BOTH,   Gal 3:28  There cannot be Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is no male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus….. Say You say me…say it together…. ALWAYS as we communicate as ONE from behind the walls of doubt….come out….that’s the way it should be. Together….. :)

Hey John, Gina, Kat G Driggs….together… for always…that’s the way it should be.  Can we hear Paul….there is no male nor female…Can we hear God…

We, the both always, are the dawn of tomorrow today. The consummation of all that is written of God, by God, that is God out of and from God, our God right? RIGHT! :D :)

The Plan, Purpose and Will is, was and shall be: Eph 4:13  until all of US (including those who can not be made perfect without US (Heb 11:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect ) are united in the faith and in the full knowledge of God's Son, and until we attain mature adulthood and the full standard of development in Christ.
Yesterday, today and tomorrow. ONE God. Living not dead, risen not fallen, alive in Spirit and Truth. That’s ONE. His work and Spirit in us. His love made living and rising in our hearts, feeling for one another, praying for each other and believing in One God.

Is that more or less what you were seeing John?   :)

Arc
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: G. Driggs on May 30, 2010, 02:05:23 AM
I just want to say this thread has been an answer to my prayers. I have been having a real hard time with not knowing Who to worship and pray to. You would think after a couple years at bible truths I would know, but I did not. Never the less I continued to ask God to "show me" as Ray would say, and it was not until I read this post and dug a little deeper that I realized it was ok to worship and pray to Jesus, because if I pray to Jesus then I'm also praying to the Father, through Jesus. I just wanna say thank you all for this thread, and thank God!

Peace, G.Driggs
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: GinaMilan on May 30, 2010, 03:13:58 AM
Sure, G. Driggs.   Say, did you notice my update in my post above?

UPDATE:  I've been saying, above, that Jesus was the Creator since He did the creating, but I just noticed something I missed in the 2007 Nashville conference that Ray points out:  "Who is the Savior of the world?  Jesus Christ.  God is the Savior of the world!  Yes Jesus Christ is the channel through who it comes.  But God almighty is the Savior of the world.  He’s also the Creator.  We are actually going to find out, who actually did the creating?  Christ. But who is the Creator?  God the Father, ok. "  
Source:  http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4472.0.html (http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4472.0.html)

The way I understand it, and maybe I'm incorrect, is that Jesus is the way to the Father of us all (and that includes Jesus Christ).  Worshiping the Father means believing (hearing/seeing with spiritual eyes and ears) and obeying His Word-which Jesus Christ is.    (I'm sorry, I hope I didn't just confuse you even more.)  What I'm trying to say is, worship is belief in and obedience to the Word which came by way of Jesus from the Father.  I don't know that it really matters whether we address God the Father or Jesus Christ in our prayers because they're One - they're in agreement on everything.  And while God the Father is greater than Jesus, Jesus still intercedes for us, so why can't we address Jesus?  If I'm obeying Jesus' Word (which is the Word from Father), I'm actually worshiping our Father.   It pleases the Father when we obey His Word (which is Jesus).  I think of Jesus as my older Brother who points me to our Father but I frankly address them both when I'm talking with them  -- they're in a sense both talking to us, right?  I don't think it's sacrilege at all.  Jesus said that the Father will (that's a definite) send us the Holy Spirit and He would teach us all things.  The Holy Spirit will teach you whether what I'm saying is truth or not.

Think of it like you're the owner of a company and you need someone to run the office while you're busy being you -- you don't talk, you just make the rules.  haha.  So, you hire an office manager who is the person who trains your employees as to how to run the company.  You and the office manager are in agreement on how the company should be run, so the manager is your mouthpiece to the subordinates/employees.  And that's just the way it works with God the Father (who is Spirit) and His Son Jesus Christ -- His Word.  And it pleases you, the owner of the company, when your employees obey your office manager, because when they obey him/her, they're in essence really obeying you.

So don't worry, please.  You're going to be fine.
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: G. Driggs on May 30, 2010, 05:30:00 AM
I totally agree with you GinaMilan, it does not really matter Who I address, as they are One. Before this, I always kind of did what you do, and that was to address them both, in fear I would somehow offend One of Them. Now I have a bit more peace, confidence and faith that whatever I tell Jesus I'm in effect telling the Father. This subject has caused me a lot of confusion in the past, but not anymore as of this thread. Things seem to take a while to sink in with me, even though I've read them many times.

Thanks GinaMilan for the update.

G.Driggs
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: Deborah-Leigh on May 30, 2010, 07:52:13 AM
Gal 4:6  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

I feel so grateful and joyfilled to know you all and hear your sweet words of peace, fellowship and encouragement which is love for and with His Spirit with us and among us. It is such a privilage to be among you all.

We as one with Christ and the Spirit of Christ that is within us, we cry Abba, Father.  His Spirit is witness of His Spirit  rising us up as one voice to the Father as we are joined to and in Him within and among us.

Our fullness of time is come.

Gal 4:4  But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, coming into being out of a woman, having come under Law,

Does this make our brothers subservient or lower than the Daughter or sister of His Kingdom? NO!

Rom 10:15  And how shall they (our brothers) preach unless THEY are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!" 

The brothers and Sons of God, let them preach whilst we the Daughters and sisters of the Kingdom of our God, bring glad tidings of love and encouragement in our Unity to and with and of Him Who prayed …let them be ONE.

Joh 17:23  I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Arc
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: GinaMilan on May 30, 2010, 12:17:52 PM
I totally agree with you GinaMilan, it does not really matter Who I address, as they are One. Before this, I always kind of did what you do, and that was to address them both, in fear I would somehow offend One of Them. Now I have a bit more peace, confidence and faith that whatever I tell Jesus I'm in effect telling the Father. This subject has caused me a lot of confusion in the past, but not anymore as of this thread. Things seem to take a while to sink in with me, even though I've read them many times.

Thanks GinaMilan for the update.

G.Driggs

Yeah, seriously -- I mean, look at all the information Ray has on his website, and then there are the videos and audios in addition to the 66 books of the bible. Whoaa! And there's the forum, too.  Man, that's a lot.  And you got me thinking too -- and I just realized I don't pick a time and start praying, because I'm kinda thinking all day long.  And when my prayers are answered, I think I thank them both? haha -- I just never really thought about it before.   Sometimes I say thank you God (but I'm not consciously thinking Jesus and the Father)!!!  You're so cool!!  Or I'll say, Wow Jesus, you're so wonderful - thank you so much!"  But hey, that's just how I'm feeling -- I don't actually think about it - I just say, "God..." while I sit in a lotus position.  I'M KIDDING!!  haha.

Sometimes I thank God out loud "Thank you, God!" and my coworkers are all like, "Hey, no problem, G.  Anything I can do to help."   psshhh  ;D
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: Dave in Tenn on May 30, 2010, 01:00:50 PM
From the Lord's Prayer. 


Joh 17:6  "I have made you known to those you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me. They have obeyed your word,
Joh 17:7  and now they know that everything (all, everyone) you gave me comes from you.
Joh 17:8  I gave them the message that you gave me, and they received it; they know that it is true that I came from you, and they believe that you sent me.
Joh 17:9  "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those you gave me, for they belong to you.
Joh 17:10  All I have is yours, and all you have is mine; and my glory is shown through them.
Joh 17:11  And now I am coming to you; I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world. Holy Father! Keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one just as you and I are one.
Joh 17:12  While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me. I protected them, and not one of them was lost, except the man who was bound to be lost---so that the scripture might come true.
Joh 17:13  And now I am coming to you, and I say these things in the world so that they might have my joy in their hearts in all its fullness.
Joh 17:14  I gave them your message, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.
Joh 17:15  I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but I do ask you to keep them safe from the Evil One.
Joh 17:16  Just as I do not belong to the world, they do not belong to the world.
Joh 17:17  Dedicate them to yourself by means of the truth; your word is truth.
Joh 17:18  I sent them into the world, just as you sent me into the world.
Joh 17:19  And for their sake I dedicate myself to you, in order that they, too, may be truly dedicated to you.
Joh 17:20  "I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message.
Joh 17:21 I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me.
Joh 17:22  I gave them the same glory you gave me, so that they may be one, just as you and I are one:
Joh 17:23  I in them and you in me, so that they may be completely one
, in order that the world may know that you sent me and that you love them as you love me.
Joh 17:24  "Father! You have given them to me, and I want them to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, the glory you gave me; for you loved me before the world was made.

Thy will be done.

Untangle THAT!   :D     
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: G. Driggs on May 30, 2010, 01:24:27 PM
Gal 4:6  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

I feel so grateful and joyfilled to know you all and hear your sweet words of peace, fellowship and encouragement which is love for and with His Spirit with us and among us. It is such a privilage to be among you all.



My sentiments exactly Arc. I too feel privileged and blessed to be among you all, and I just thank God for the knowledge, mercy and Love He has shown me through the brothers and sisters here at bible truths. It is also very humbling He would show all this to a sinner like me,  and I believe He did it so I could not boast, as I really have nothing to boast about except Him. He really knows how to pick em. ;) Not that I think I'm being chosen, but He is most definitely revealing some incredible things to not only me, but everyone here. This is at least one of the ways we are united by His Spirit.

Quote from: GinaMilan
and I just realized I don't pick a time and start praying, because I'm kinda thinking all day long.

I'm with you there Gina, I cant help but to think about and talk to God all day long. It would feel kinda weird to set aside a time to pray the way I used to in the past, which would be usually only at meals or bedtime.

Can you believe I actually thought at one time Jesus was not good? When He said in Mat 19:17  "And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." I literally thought He was saying He is not good. I think I understand now, not only was He being humble, but He just did not want me to know (at that time) He is God and He IS good and that I should love Him with everything I have, make Him first and foremost and in turn I will be doing the same to God the Father.

Mat 10:33  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Joh 5:23  That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

G.Driggs
Title: Re: Why did Jesus say "why do you call me good?"
Post by: GinaMilan on May 30, 2010, 09:06:35 PM
I'm so glad you joined in, G. Driggs.  Check out the ending -- it's perfect!

Love to you all!

Gypsy Gina ;)