I want to live a life worth living, and do good things for people in need. But how do I manage to do good works for the sake of philanthropy with the love of Jesus and not feel like I'm somehow better than the next man/Christian? I want to do good things for people, but I just know that my pride and self-righteousness would start bubbling up. Should I just be praying that God would change my heart attitude before I start doing volunteer work and serving others? That is the point anyway right, to do things for people because you genuinely love them? Specifically, has anyone out there had God change their heart from what I've said mine is like right now to a genuine heart of love, compassion, and empathy for their fellow man? Any success stories or encouragement? I know God has changed so many things in my life over the years, but I really want my heart to change, it's like the final frontier and I feel like I've kinda lost hope...
I would say that I'm a work in progress in this area. Like you, God has changed so many things in my life that I trust that he will continue to work with me and I'll continue to grow. It seems to me that God has placed this desire in your heart and that you should step up and start volunteering. Like you said, you may have pride issues crop up, but this gives God an opportunity to work that in you.
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"Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words.
Be careful of your words, for your words become your actions.
Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits.
Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character.
Be careful of your character, for your character becomes your destiny."
I want to live a life worth living, and do good things for people in need. But how do I manage to do good works for the sake of philanthropy with the love of Jesus and not feel like I'm somehow better than the next man/Christian? I want to do good things for people, but I just know that my pride and self-righteousness would start bubbling up. Should I just be praying that God would change my heart attitude before I start doing volunteer work and serving others? That is the point anyway right, to do things for people because you genuinely love them? Specifically, has anyone out there had God change their heart from what I've said mine is like right now to a genuine heart of love, compassion, and empathy for their fellow man? Any success stories or encouragement? I know God has changed so many things in my life over the years, but I really want my heart to change, it's like the final frontier and I feel like I've kinda lost hope...
I have seen it in my own life and have witnessed it in others. You are trying to work in your own power and not GOD's. We must be willing to sacrifice everything, even our own life for Christ Jesus. Let HIM lead you, let go of what you know must be done (all control) and let HIM do it. Perhaps what I am saying makes no sense to you right now, but what I hear you say, I am certain that I've asked GOD myself. May HE BLESS YOU! as you continue to seek HIM.
James writes our faith, should birth some thing within us.....not what we do, who we are, who we have become....
kind words, unselfish deeds, walking away from bad habits.... see Matthew 25.32-42; 10.28-32 ....Corporal Works of Mercy, Partnering with Minister....
we can still be a little crusty around the corners and shine in one thing....love, forgiveness, faithfulness, giving, visiting hospital, nursing home, jail....
I'd say just start the volunteering and you'll see you start loving those people. You will see their struggles and imperfections but they become more personal stories to you. You will see that you will recognise yourself in them. We all have our struggles and imperfections. Let God do his work in you.
__________________ Still happy and excited about being a Christian but shocked by how judgemental people can be on this forum and how topics and messages can be taken out of context. I have decided to leave the forum. Be blessed, everyone. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Volunteer at a hospital, soup kitchen, library, school: anywhere that will have you.
Keep it in perspective. I don't recommend more than few hours a week; maybe a couple hours at a time 2 evenings a week, or your day off.
Don't look for "fruit". Help wherever you can because it's the right thing to do.
__________________ “Atonement is, properly, an arrangement by which the literal infliction of the penalty due to sin may be avoided; it is something which may be substituted in the place of punishment. It is that which will answer the same end secured by the literal infliction of the penalty of the law… The atonement is the governmental provision for the forgiveness of sins, providing man meets the conditions of repentance and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.”
reid.stady, welcome to CF. I agree with the other replies. 
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