Earning favor

A Christian can earn favor with God by doing good works.


  • Total voters
    40

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
True or False

A Christian can earn favor with God by doing good works.
According to scripture, non-christians can, this lead to the invitation of the Roman Centurian to Peter.
 
Upvote 0

Hammster

Psalm 144:1
Christian Forums Staff
Site Advisor
Supporter
Apr 5, 2007
140,012
25,179
55
New Jerusalem
Visit site
✟1,718,562.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
According to scripture, non-christians can, this lead to the invitation of the Roman Centurian to Peter.
Don’t take it off topic with the first post. :)
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Daniel C
Upvote 0

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
Furthermore, in the Old Testament, there were passages that implied people who were of a "special status" who would survive alone a calamity that befell Israel back then they were visited by calamities by God.

In the New testament, it is illustrated that we reap what we sow, so that would be "meritorious" in nature.
 
Upvote 0

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
True or False

A Christian can earn favor with God by doing good works.
It's not exactly a true or false question.

You can do works as a Christian that are dead (without faith) and not please God.

In terms of favor tho, consistency is key, it has to come out of who you actual are. (since you're a new creation now) Forcing a result, tends to result in being placed in situations that force you to realize it was all fake.
 
Upvote 0

Hammster

Psalm 144:1
Christian Forums Staff
Site Advisor
Supporter
Apr 5, 2007
140,012
25,179
55
New Jerusalem
Visit site
✟1,718,562.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
It's not exactly a true or false question.

You can do works as a Christian that are dead (without faith) and not please God.

In terms of favor tho, consistency is key, it has to come out of who you actual are. (since you're a new creation now) Forcing a result, tends to result in being placed in situations that force you to realize it was all fake.
I’m not sure what you are getting at. Can you do anything as a Christian that earns favor with God?
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Hammster

Psalm 144:1
Christian Forums Staff
Site Advisor
Supporter
Apr 5, 2007
140,012
25,179
55
New Jerusalem
Visit site
✟1,718,562.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
Yes we can earn favor... Through faith. Enoch certainly did
...and we know that without faith it is impossible to please God..
Do you believe that you are more favorable in God’s eyes than some other Christians?
 
Upvote 0

Hammster

Psalm 144:1
Christian Forums Staff
Site Advisor
Supporter
Apr 5, 2007
140,012
25,179
55
New Jerusalem
Visit site
✟1,718,562.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10)
Is your answer True or False? Posting a verse without context or commentary isn’t really helpful.
 
Upvote 0

WolfGate

Senior Member
Supporter
Jun 14, 2004
4,168
2,089
South Carolina
✟448,216.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Depends on how you define "works", I think. Interesting thread, because I'd love to see if someone finds different scripture support, but what I see is we find favor by believing in Him. I would say "no", but I guess if you are of the category that would claim even deciding to accept Christ would be a work, then the responses to finding him would have to be also.

Isa 66:2 = For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word

Pro 8:35 = For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD
 
  • Winner
Reactions: friend of
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Hammster

Psalm 144:1
Christian Forums Staff
Site Advisor
Supporter
Apr 5, 2007
140,012
25,179
55
New Jerusalem
Visit site
✟1,718,562.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
Depends on how you define "works", I think. Interesting thread, because I'd love to see if someone finds different scripture support, but what I see is we find favor by believing in Him. I would say "no", but I guess if you are of the category that would claim even deciding to accept Christ would be a work, then the responses to finding him would have to be also.

Isa 66:2 = For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word

Pro 8:35 = For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD
I tried to be specific in stating “Christians” instead of a more generic “mankind”.
 
Upvote 0

rockytopva

Love to pray! :)
Supporter
Mar 6, 2011
20,038
7,664
.
Visit site
✟1,056,135.00
Faith
Pentecostal
Marital Status
Single
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. - Jeremiah 9:23-34


Lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness.... Exercise these in good Christian spirit and you will earn the delight of God.
 
  • Like
Reactions: friend of
Upvote 0

Daniel C

Well-Known Member
Nov 22, 2018
1,147
426
England
✟23,768.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
I put false. However I believe this is a more nuanced area.

We do not earn anything with God as this implies a debt and God owes us nothing.

I do believe there is a christian lifestyle and path believers need to follow that includes certain activities that some define as works.

Christ said ''when you give alms....'' and ''when you pray....'' and ''when you fast...'' so there is an obvious expectation for us to follow him but this does not mean our religious activities are our salvation, our faith and trust in Christ is our salvation.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Hammster

Psalm 144:1
Christian Forums Staff
Site Advisor
Supporter
Apr 5, 2007
140,012
25,179
55
New Jerusalem
Visit site
✟1,718,562.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. - Jeremiah 9:23-34


Lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness.... Exercise these in good Christian spirit and you will earn the delight of God.
The thread isn’t about delighting God. It’s about earning favor.
 
Upvote 0