Question for Christians

[jpcedotal]

Same here.

The thing is, jpcedotal, is that doesn't appear to be what Zaac is saying. It appears that agape is doing something in order to glorify Christ or doing it with God in mind -- which of course atheists do not do.

So my question, to him, is why is doing something to make Jesus happy better than doing something simply for the good effect it has.

I would rather my children clean their room because they have come to value cleanliness, than to persist into their dotage cleaning their room because memory of their daddy compels them.

Maturity means doing good because it is good and not because it makes some authority figure happy.

We are NOT to do something to make Jesus happy as the main reason. That is not what He taught and is the wrong reason for doing anything.

I help someone who is in need because he/she is in need. What I do has ZERO to do with whether he/she is saved or not nor would I do anything different or more/less.

Jesus Christ died on that cross NOT to make his Father happy but to save mankind...all of mankind because we were in dire need.

 

[nhisname]

Well, let's see...I continually sought Him and He disappeared. Yes, a relationship is a two-way street and if you think God doesn't change, you haven't read the entire Bible.


Believe it or not...I'm OK with that.

In the same post you said God let your relationship die and you when you grew older God didn't make sense...which is it?

 

[Tinker Grey]

We are NOT to do something to make Jesus happy as the main reason. That is not what He taught and is the wrong reason for doing anything.

I help someone who is in need because he/she is in need. What I do has ZERO to do with whether he/she is saved or not nor would I do anything different or more/less.

Jesus Christ died on that cross NOT to make his Father happy but to save mankind...all of mankind because we were in dire need.

Again. I am ok with that.

But, it remains for Zaac to make the distinction that Coderhead has asked of him.

 

[CoderHead]

I help someone who is in need because he/she is in need. What I do has ZERO to do with whether he/she is saved or not nor would I do anything different or more/less.

That's what I was trying to convey to Zaac. But I was accused of being selfish because I was helping someone, simply because I'm incapable of "agape love."

 

[jpcedotal]

Sure it does.



I'm doing it to the glory of Christ. The non-Christian isn't. How is the outcome the same?

My story was written a little bit differently. The stranger got warm and Christ was glorified.[/quote]

Christ is glorified either way.......it does not require a Christian to do the good deed in order for Christ to be glorified.

 

[jpcedotal]

That's what I was trying to convey to Zaac. But I was accused of being selfish because I was helping someone, simply because I'm incapable of "agape love."

A good deed is a good deed is a good deed. We are not to judge the reason or thinking behind the good deed. We are just to label the action good (of God) or bad (not of God). The intent of the doer and outcome is for God to judge and decide.

 

[nhisname]

What does that matter to the stranger?

People thrive on kindness. It opens a heart that might have been badly bruised at one time.

 

[sweetMelody]

save her, so she would have time to convert and live. God will be happy with you if you are able to save even one of his children.

 

[Zaac]

Same here.

The thing is, jpcedotal, is that doesn't appear to be what Zaac is saying. It appears that agape is doing something in order to glorify Christ or doing it with God in mind -- which of course atheists do not do.

It's not doing it with God in mind. It's the indwelling of Christ prompting you to do it because it's what He would do. It is the Love of the One Who is Love acting through us.

So my question, to him, is why is doing something to make Jesus happy better than doing something simply for the good effect it has.

Absent Jesus Christ, you can't do any good. You're looking at this from a unsaved worldview. I'm applying the Biblical Christ worldview.

I would rather my children clean their room because they have come to value cleanliness, than to persist into their dotage cleaning their room because memory of their daddy compels them.

Their daddy ain't God.

Maturity means doing good because it is good and not because it makes some authority figure happy.

And when people go to hell because they think their "good" should have kept them out, maturity ain't gonna mean too much.

Those who will receive the Truth will. Those who will not, will not.

 

[CoderHead]

People thrive on kindness. It opens a heart that might have been badly bruised at one time.

Are you saying that a non-Christian giving their coat isn't an act of kindness? The stranger receiving the coat doesn't care if you're a Christian or not; they're happy to have a warm coat. The act of kindness may warm their heart while the coat warms their body, but it makes no difference to them whether you did it with Christ in mind.

 

[Tinker Grey]

It's not doing it with God in mind. It's the indwelling of Christ prompting you to do it because it's what He would do. It is the Love of the One Who is Love acting through us.

So you think it is better (morally superior, more admirable) that someone prompts you to good than if you think of doing good on your own?

Absent Jesus Christ, you can't do any good. You're looking at this from a unsaved worldview. I'm applying the Biblical Christ worldview.

And we're asking you to justify your "BCW". So far you have merely asserted it.

WRT your first sentence: are you suggesting A) that I do good because of Jesus, or B) that even if I do the same act as you that it is by definition "not good."

Their daddy ain't God.

So God wants a bunch of puling infants rather than grown children? I think Paul would disagree. Enough with the milk; eat some meat.

And when people go to hell because they think their "good" should have kept them out, maturity ain't gonna mean too much.

Can you say non sequitur? Sure, I knew you could.

Those who will receive the Truth will. Those who will not, will not.

Right back at ya, bub.

 

[Zaac]

So you think it is better (morally superior, more admirable) that someone prompts you to good than if you think of doing good on your own?

What I think isn't at issue. Absent Jesus Christ, no one is doing good. So that which non-Christians think is good will burn just as chaff.

And we're asking you to justify your "BCW". So far you have merely asserted it.

I don't have a BCW. Take your doubt up with God.

WRT your first sentence: are you suggesting A) that I do good because of Jesus, or B) that even if I do the same act as you that it is by definition "not good."

Already answered. And if you had to ask that question, there really was no need for your other comments.

So God wants a bunch of puling infants rather than grown children? I think Paul would disagree. Enough with the milk; eat some meat.

Paul ain't disagreed with nothing God says.

Can you say non sequitur? Sure, I knew you could.

Can you say defense with latin phrases is soooo boring? I'm sure you could. But if it makes ya feel "good".

Right back at ya, bub.

The name is still Zaac.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Zaac

Wow. All that text and not a single response.