Earning favor

[rockytopva]

The thread isn’t about delighting God. It’s about earning favor.

Delighting God... Earning Favor... Is there a difference?

 

[Daniel C]

Sometimes commentary is unnecessary.

So why are you doing it then?

 

[Hammster]

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.

That was really the point of the thread. It wasn’t to suggest that there aren’t things that we, as children, aren’t expected to live a certain way, or do good works. I fully believe Ephesians 2:10. But if we think it earns us favor with God, our focus is off.

 

[Hammster]

Delighting God... Earning Favor... Is there a difference?

Yes. My children do things that delight me. But that doesn’t earn them any favor. One child is never above another.

 

[Dave L]

So why are you doing it then?

at times it's necessary?

 

[Daniel C]

That was really the point of the thread. It wasn’t to suggest that there aren’t things that we, as children, aren’t expected to live a certain way, or do good works. I fully believe Ephesians 2:10. But if we think it earns us favor with God, our focus is off.

Sounds like I'm starting to get an Amen from the Reformed group.

Sometimes it's hard to distinguish what your view is Mr. Bible thumper as it's often a true or false option.

Don't forget i'm non-denom so I don't have a pastor or priest that guides me on these issues, I interpret these views myself, from the Bible.

 

[StillGods]

I think God sees our hearts.
we can do things that will mean God can be more in our lives, it may feel like favour but it's really just we let God in more so He has the chance to share His love more.
but again God sees our hearts if we sincerely want relationship with Him or not.
He sees all our feeble attempts and I know He responds to us wanting Him in our lives, how could He not for He loves us very much.

 

[rboggio1]

True or False

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

No

 

[rboggio1]

Sounds like I'm starting to get an Amen from the Reformed group.

Sometimes it's hard to distinguish what your view is Mr. Bible thumper as it's often a true or false option.

Don't forget i'm non-denom so I don't have a pastor or priest that guides me on these issues, I interpret these views myself, from the Bible.

Why do you feel this is significant to highlight? "Don't forget i'm non-denom so I don't have a pastor or priest that guides me on these issues, I interpret these views myself, from the Bible."

 

[Hammster]

I think God sees our hearts.
we can do things that will mean God can be more in our lives, it may feel like favour but it's really just we let God in more so He has the chance to share His love more.
but again God sees our hearts if we sincerely want relationship with Him or not.
He sees all our feeble attempts and I know He responds to us wanting Him in our lives, how could He not for He loves us very much.

Thanks for posting. However, this thread is about whether our works earn favor with God, and I’m not sure how this pertains.

 

[Hammster]

Why do you feel this is significant to highlight? "Don't forget i'm non-denom so I don't have a pastor or priest that guides me on these issues, I interpret these views myself, from the Bible."

We don’t need to derail the thread.

 

[StillGods]

Thanks for posting. However, this thread is about whether our works earn favor with God, and I’m not sure how this pertains.

I guess it depends how favour is defined.
if favour is a better relationship with God then there are things we can do (works) that will mean we are letting God in more. Thus experiencing a better relationship (favour?) with God.

is that earning favour that we do those things?
I dont see it as earning, but favour (better relationship with God) can be a result.

 

[GodsGrace101]

True or False

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

You ask good questions that make one think.
They really cannot be answered with a yes or a no.
Here's why:

In some cases, Jesus showed that our attitude toward him is more important than what we do:
Luke 10:38-42
Martha and Mary

38Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
39She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
40But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”
41But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;
42but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

But He also taught that what we do is very important and necessary:


Luke 10:30-37
The Good Samaritan

30Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.
31“And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32“Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33“But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion,
34and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
35“On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’
36“Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?”
37And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

I voted true: A CHRISTIAN CAN earn favor with God with good works.

1. We're told in the N.T. that we will receive rewards of some kind.

2. If we have the correct ATTITUDE toward God, we will also do as He would like us to do, like the good Samaritan and also those in Mathew 25 that did what they did for the poor and imprisoned and also thus did for God.

Colossians 3:23
23Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

23Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

 

[Hammster]

You ask good questions that make one think.
They really cannot be answered with a yes or a no.
Here's why:

In some cases, Jesus showed that our attitude toward him is more important than what we do:
Luke 10:38-42
Martha and Mary

38Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
39She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
40But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”
41But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;
42but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

But He also taught that what we do is very important and necessary:


Luke 10:30-37
The Good Samaritan

30Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.
31“And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32“Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33“But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion,
34and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
35“On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’
36“Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?”
37And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

I voted true: A CHRISTIAN CAN earn favor with God with good works.

1. We're told in the N.T. that we will receive rewards of some kind.

2. If we have the correct ATTITUDE toward God, we will also do as He would like us to do, like the good Samaritan and also those in Mathew 25 that did what they did for the poor and imprisoned and also thus did for God.

Colossians 3:23
23Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

23Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

While we disagree a lot, I do appreciate your well-thought out replies. And as my normal tack, let me ask you a question.

Do you think Mary was more favorable to Jesus than Martha?

 

[Hammster]

I guess it depends how favour is defined.
if favour is a better relationship with God then there are things we can do (works) that will mean we are letting God in more. Thus experiencing a better relationship (favour?) with God.

is that earning favour that we do those things?
I dont see it as earning, but favour (better relationship with God) can be a result.

I think that’s why I wouldn’t consider it a work. Our relationship with Christ grows the more we spend time with Him in His word. That in and of itself isn’t a work. We certainly can make it a work, though. And we need to be cautious of that.

 

[GodsGrace101]

While we disagree a lot, I do appreciate your well-thought out replies. And as my normal tack, let me ask you a question.

Do you think Mary was more favorable to Jesus than Martha?

Jesus DID say that Mary chose the good part.
What's important in your question is the fact that you asked about a CHRISTIAN. If it had been about an unbeliever, the answer would be simple: God must have our attitude and not our works. It's our attitude of faith that saves us and not our works.

Mary annointed Jesus' feet with oil...
Mary loved our Lord tremendously...Just like the Apostle John loved Jesus in a way different from the others...and he WAS part of the inner circle, which Jesus did have BTW.

At the rising of Lazarus, Martha met Jesus first,,,but it was Mary that fell to her feet before Him.

I haven't thought about this a lot....I think God loves all His creation, but He does also hate as the bible teaches.

So, since He also hates,,,I'll have to say that, yes, He probably did have more of a loving feeling for Mary, although He loved Martha too.


What does this mean?

 

[Daniel C]

Why do you feel this is significant to highlight? "Don't forget i'm non-denom so I don't have a pastor or priest that guides me on these issues, I interpret these views myself, from the Bible."

I did not say or emphasize it was significant.

I was communicating to our fellow member that my views are mine.

 

[Guojing]

If you are talking about things that Jesus gave us thru the divine exchange at the cross, such as healing and material blessings, then no. It must be received by faith, like how we receive salvation.

 

[Hammster]

Jesus DID say that Mary chose the good part.
What's important in your question is the fact that you asked about a CHRISTIAN. If it had been about an unbeliever, the answer would be simple: God must have our attitude and not our works. It's our attitude of faith that saves us and not our works.

Mary annointed Jesus' feet with oil...
Mary loved our Lord tremendously...Just like the Apostle John loved Jesus in a way different from the others...and he WAS part of the inner circle, which Jesus did have BTW.

At the rising of Lazarus, Martha met Jesus first,,,but it was Mary that fell to her feet before Him.

I haven't thought about this a lot....I think God loves all His creation, but He does also hate as the bible teaches.

So, since He also hates,,,I'll have to say that, yes, He probably did have more of a loving feeling for Mary, although He loved Martha too.


What does this mean?

I’d have to disagree. And here’s why.

While Mary did the better thing, Jesus was loving in His response to Martha. So if Mary has more favor, then He would have rebuked Martha.

Plus, I don’t think our works have any bearing on how God sees us. We are His children, and if His love is unconditional, then there’s no favor of one over another.

 

[A_Thinker]

True or False

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

Would rewards be considered "favor" ?