Let's examine your thoughts on "doing good" a little deeper, and, of course, using Scripture as our guide. Fair enough?
Go for it.
What did Jesus say to the unbelieving Jews and Pharisees? John 5:39 - “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me".
The Jews were taught by the Pharisees that they would receive eternal life by obeying the Law. It was a works-based system of salvation.
And here, Jesus refutes them directly in their view from the very next verse: "and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life."
Okay, those Pharisees were unbelievers. However, you say you are a believer. Can you not obey anything Jesus said?
The phrase "come to Me" refers to placing their faith in Him FOR eternal life. Just count the times Jesus directly said that eternal life is given on the basis of faith in Him: Jn 3:15,16,18, 5:24, 6:40, 47, 11:25-27. And John the baptizer echoed Jesus' words in 3:36 and John the apostle summarized his gospel by echoing Jesus' words in 20:31.
I'm going to use your logic. The phrase says, 'come to me'. This is referring to those who come to Him if they were able. But since, like you said, everyone is a sinner, they can't come to Him. This isn't speaking to anyone; it's just a phrase Jesus used to show that you can't come to Him, and that if you could come to Him, you would could receive eternal life.
Now, Paul also echoed Jesus' teaching in Romans. In fact, he refuted those, like you, who believe that by "doing good" one will be saved, or have eternal life.
First, he makes this point: - 6 who will render to each person according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life Rom 2
Hm. Kinda sounds like what you've been claiming. He even said this: - for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. Rom 2:13
Where does Jesus refute anyone for doing good? Perhaps you should read Matthew 26 and show who Jesus refuted.
And yes, it does sound like what I've been claiming; imagine that! I believe it, you don't.
So, it is really possible for anyone to fulfill either of these verses?
No, for Paul then makes this point crystal clear:
3:9 - What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;
3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Here is your flawed logic. This verse says nothing about anyone not able to do good. You include it to try to justify your beliefs. Since you are under sin, and can't come to Him, I'm afraid that leaves you out.
How clear is that? All have sinned, and all are under sin. Therefore, NO ONE can fulfill what he wrote in 2:6,7,13. His point in those verses is that ONLY those who are perfect would be able to receive eternal life. But he wrote 3:9 and 23 to PROVE that no one can do that.
Clear as mud! Since you are a sinner and not perfect, you will never receive eternal life; this is your according to your doctrine. You have just proved you are not really a believer.
Not only that, but consider 3:20 - because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
Here, he directly SAYS that no one will be justified by keeping the Law, or doing good. That was NOT the purpose of the Law anyway. It was to bring knowledge of man's sin.
Wow, you are really getting entangled now. John says anyone who does not keep His commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him. Since you choose not to keep His commandments, or should I say, can't keep His commandments, you will never have the truth in you. So why should I believe anything you say, if you don't have the truth in you?
Paul even said that in another epistle: "Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made." Gal 3:19
iow, the Law came because of man's sin, and was in effect until Christ came, "to whom the promise (of salvation) had been made".
Then, Paul clarifies:
24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Again, I will use your logic. Since you are under sin, you are not able to be lead to Christ. Paul is writing this to prove man he cannot be lead to Christ. If you could be lead to Christ, you would then be a son of God. But since your sins prevents this, you cannot be a son of God, even if you think you are.
The purpose of the Law was to teach us about sin and lead us to Christ, who died for our sins and that we would be justified by faith, NOT WORKS.
v.26 is quite clear about how one becomes a son of God: through faith in Christ. NOT BY WORKS.
One would have to reject All of Romans and all of Galatians in order to accept your view. I will not do it.
Again, being under sin, you cannot be lead to Christ. Since you can't be lead to Christ, you will never have faith in Him. Everything Paul writes proves you can't do these things. Since you can't do good, even though a true Christian can do ALL things through Christ, I guess you are hanging out there by yourself.
