Is abstaining from sin worth anything if done for the wrong reasons?

-Sasha-

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What if she never does come to know Him? There have been people who have prayed their entire lives, but became atheists in their latter years claiming that they never found God in spite of their search.
Why speculate on the worst outcome? Hope for the best, and pray!
 
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Natsumi Lam

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Is abstaining from sin worth anything if it is done for the wrong reasons? For example, if a person abstains from sin because they don't want to disappoint people or saints instead of abstaining out of love for God, is the abstinence from sin in such a case a sin in itself?

To give a more particular example: let's say that an agnostic girl who used to live a depraved life (engaged in promiscuity, fornication, drugs etc.) falls in love with a Christian guy and he reciprocates her love, but he tells her that they can only get married if she strives to repent and stop sinning. She doesn't believe in God, but because she is very much in love with the Christian guy, she quits all her previous sinful habits. She starts living a life that could be considered righteous (she dresses modestly, changes her behavior and quits all drugs and all forms of fornication), she attends church and even tries to pray, but she only does so in order to please her partner, without believing that God actually exists. She is honest to her boyfriend about her lack of belief and about the fact that she has turned over a new leaf out of love for him, not out of sincere Christian repentance. Should he marry her? Would her change of lifestyle amount to anything in God's eyes, or will she still be damned at the end of her days?

Answers from Christians belonging to all denominations are welcomed.

He examines our heart in instances like giving. We often grow stronger the greater, deeper and longer our compassion gets.

As far as sinning..the longer we try to obstain for others the smaller our resolve gets.
 
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Natsumi Lam

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What does this mean?
Meaning the longer we try to "change" or not sin for the soul reason of doing it for other people the more resolve has a quicker half-life. When we do it for God and yourself it will stick longer.
 
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