Where in the Bible does Jesus tell people to be good?

Wootah · Post by **Wootah** » Thu Oct 18, 2018 8:39 pm

Post by **Tcg** » Wed Oct 24, 2018 5:41 pm

Wootah wrote: [Replying to post 2 by Divine Insight]

Do you regard the 10 commandments as good?

In general, of course, I think everything Jesus asks us to do is good. However, I think it is clearer to understand Jesus as saying be merciful to others.

Tcg wrote:
Wootah wrote: Where in the Bible does Jesus tell people to be good?
In Luke chapter 6:

33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Thank you. Goodness is couched in the idea of mercy here very clearly.

No. Goodness is crouched in the idea of goodness when Jesus says in verse 35, "do good". Perhaps you overlooked it.

FWI · Post by **FWI** » Fri Oct 26, 2018 2:59 pm

Wootah wrote:Where in the Bible does Jesus tell people to be good?

The problem with this question is that it seems not to allow for bible verses that indirectly state that the Christ required that his followers do good. There were several other posters who (rightfully) ignored this hand-tying attempt. I will as wellâ€¦

John 5:29: In this verse the Christ is telling all who read it that if they do good, they will receive the resurrection of life.

Luke 8:15: Here, the Christ is giving a parable related to seeds and the Kingdom of God. He explains that the seeds that falls on good ground are those who hear the (true) word through a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. Whereas, the other examples shows the problems with the seeds spread in different areas. It would be hard to dispute that the Christ isn't promoting the actions of being a good and noble human being in this verse.

Mark 3:4: This example is related to the Sabbath. The Christ is asking those in the synagogue (on a Sabbath day), if it is lawful to do good or save a life on the Sabbath. However, no one replied. So, being grieved by their hardness, he healed a man of a withered hand. Showing that not only was doing good required for the standard six days of the week, but also for the Holy Seventh Day.

Matt. 25:14-30: These verses clearly shows the difference between a good and faithful servant to God and His Son and an unprofitable one.

Additionally, in Matt. 20:15 the Christ states that he also is good. Yet, it was brought up that this contradicts Mark 10:18. Not quiteâ€¦

In the Alexandrian or Egyptian text type, as found in the Critical text. Matt. 19:17 (Mark 10:18) is recorded as such: Why do you ask me about what is good? There is One who is good.

The reference is clear here. The Christ is explaining that if you want to know what is good, you need to go to the word of God or the 10 commandments. All that is good comes from God and we need to apply these instructions into our lives, just as the Christ did.

So, these verses and the verses that were supplied by others make it undeniable that the Christ told humans to be good.