Section 8
eternal life is different from having eternal life. According to the Gospel of John, to have eternal life is to be saved with God's uncreated life so that we may live by this life today and for eter nity. But to inherit eternal life is to share in the manifestation of the kingdom in the coming age. The certain ruler in 18:18 apparently was seek ing eternal life in the coming age.
In 18:19 the Lord Jesus said to this ruler, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except One—God." Only God is good. This indicates not only that the one who asked the question is not good, but also that the Lord Jesus is God, who is good. If He were not God, He also would not be good.
In verse 20 the Lord went on to say to the ruler, "You know the commandments: you shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not testify falsely, honor your father and mother." The ruler answered, "All these things I have kept from my youth" (v. 21). When the Lord Jesus heard this, He said to him, "Yet one thing you are lacking: all things, what ever you have, sell and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in the heavens; and come, follow Me" (v. 22). Here the Lord comes to a matter He has emphasized previously—the