Why Do Good?

[sshull]

If we believe in the scriptures and what is being said in Ephesians 2:8-9. If we truly have faith the Holy Spirit will lead us and with his Guidance we will live as Christ like as posssible. Which means we will automaticly give ourselves up to him and do good. The key is in your faith not in your doings. Good works will follow faith in God.

 

[faithfulwarrior]

Why do good? To be honest, those who love Him truly have a passion to do good for Him. God is God and He is holy. He deserves the utmost praise and honour. We are called to serve him with our lives and to love one another as he loved us. I'd hate to think it would be out of selfishness or to get a 'key' to heaven, but rather out of love and compassion for those who are around us. I desire to do good to please the Lord that gave me life and to help others in need.

 

[hairless_ape]

Strange... I was under the impression our good works do not get us into heaven?

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves [it is] the gift of God Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:5

FAITH WITOUT works is dead. I'm just telling you what I've read. Ever heard the analogy of pushing string? Here it is:

Works<------------------------------------------->faith

If you push the string starting with works to try to get it to move forward-->
You will just mess up the string and get no where.
But if you pull faith along and let the works follow, now your getting somewhere.
Works is merely the evidence of your faith and without faith yuor works are useless...
Hey pretty good for an aetheist or whatever I am hey?

 

[Bevlina]

We are all born with the capacity to love - and the capacity to be cruel. Hitler was guilty of some pretty mean things, yet he loved his dogs.
It's up to us to utilise the Love in us and just show kindness whenever we are needed.
We can't do good for anyone if we choose to ignore that word "compassion".

 

[Bodhisattva]

We are all born with the capacity to love - and the capacity to be cruel. Hitler was guilty of some pretty mean things, yet he loved his dogs.
It's up to us to utilise the Love in us and just show kindness whenever we are needed.
We can't do good for anyone if we choose to ignore that word "compassion".

Interesting that you use the word "compassion," because it means inner suffering.

Inner suffering seems to me to be a big part of the Christian religion. Christ suffered and so must we, pained by our humanity and sins.

But I don't agree with this. I don't think God wants us to suffer. While He wants us to have humility, gentility, kindness, and love, He does not require us to suffer to achieve these qualities.

We do good not to gain access to some wonderful place for eternity, nor do we do what is good to escape some place of agony fo eternity, we do good to be more Christlike, to be more like the Buddha, to bring ourselves closer to God because we inherently love him.

We are all droplets of the one great Ocean, an Ocean of love and peace, that is God. We are put here to, through our lifetimes, grow closer and closer to Him in our inner peace and insight, in our good deeds and practices, until we see His light shining within us (and shining in others, that we love them more), we hear His steady breathing, and are ready to return, like raindrops to the surface of a great water.

We do good so that we are worthy of the presence of God. But we do good just as much because, being part of His love and majesty, we inherently wish to benefit others.

Yet sometimes we go astray; as every action is an attempt to get closer to God, to test Him, some of them are not good actions. Perhaps then in that lifetime we will not return to Him, but be reborn again to try again to achieve our own Godliness.

Every attempt an atheist makes to disprove the existence of our Creator is inadvertently an attempt to discover whether or not He is really there.

God only knows what our soul's true fabric is; no priest, or Pope, or prophet can truly discern, though they will always try. Within us, God only knows.

 

[grace4u]

Why do I do good?

Well I must say there is no good in me!!!! Without Christ Jesus my Lord. Apart from Him I am a lier, thief, adulturer,sluggard and fool. For without the sin debt that He paid there is no good in me.

Aside from that I do good because I desire for all to see how good God is. What am I? Dirt!! I am only here but for a moment, but my God is forever and ever. So why not show His glory in my actions every chance I get. Get real who are you? I know I am a servant and it is the greatest position I could hold, and I will never be deserving of it.

God Be In You

 

[MJT]

Well I must say there is no good in me!!!! Without Christ Jesus my Lord. Apart from Him I am a lier, thief, adulturer,sluggard and fool. For without the sin debt that He paid there is no good in me.

This is sort of arrogant (no offense, but it's true). Non-Christians are just as likely to do good (or bad) as Christians. I am not a liar (not that I'm not guilty, but I would lie if it meant saving a life, or some other good deed), thief, nor am I an adulterer, nor am I a sluggard, and not that many people consider me a fool. I feel that there is plenty of good in any random person. Besides, who wants to live in a world they consider to be utter filth? I do see suffering in the world, I have no desire to blame it on humankind or myself though by saying we're all inherently unworthy of the slightest good.

 

[dkara]

I don't try to do good. I try to be 'better.' The sun shines on my face most mornings--as it does on everyones. So I try to be like the sun and spread my 'shine' around.

And as I've done so I've learned that it really feels good to give.

But then I need to receive from others sometimes, so that they may feel this also.

 

[SarcasmDispenser]

This is sort of arrogant (no offense, but it's true). Non-Christians are just as likely to do good (or bad) as Christians. I am not a liar (not that I'm not guilty, but I would lie if it meant saving a life, or some other good deed), thief, nor am I an adulterer, nor am I a sluggard, and not that many people consider me a fool.

I dont think that was the point grace was trying to make there. They were simply stating that nobody is perfect, everybody has their faults. He was saying without Christ forgiving him, he is nothing. Not that you are any less or any more of a good person. Christianity isn't a religion that says "we're better than you", it's a religion saying "we need forgiveness, and Christ gave it to us."

I think Maya Angelou (or someone) wrote something along those lines actually.

 

[Faith In God]

This is sort of arrogant (no offense, but it's true). Non-Christians are just as likely to do good (or bad) as Christians.

"That which is highly esteemed among men is an abhomination in the sight of God."

I am not a liar (not that I'm not guilty, but I would lie if it meant saving a life, or some other good deed),

so you've never lied.

thief,

you've never taken anything that didn't belong to you without consent

nor am I an adulterer,

I thought you said you weren't a liar. You are an adulterer in God's eyes if you've ever lusted.

nor am I a sluggard, and not that many people consider me a fool.

the fool says in his heart 'there is no God.'

I feel that there is plenty of good in any random person. Besides, who wants to live in a world they consider to be utter filth?

That's why I wait for God's kingdom. Oh, and I have plenty of desire to stay here to try to get as many people to know the gospel as possible.

I do see suffering in the world, I have no desire to blame it on humankind or myself though by saying we're all inherently unworthy of the slightest good.

It's not just inherent, my friend. It is, and the proof is that we must be taught to not do bad as kids, but we still sin. And your conscience is witness of it.

 

[Faith In God]

I don't try to do good. I try to be 'better.' The sun shines on my face most mornings--as it does on everyones. So I try to be like the sun and spread my 'shine' around.

And as I've done so I've learned that it really feels good to give.

But then I need to receive from others sometimes, so that they may feel this also.

Luke 16:15 "'You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight."

 

[MJT]

so you've never lied.

Maybe you should read what I wrote, you did quote me afterall, so read what you quoted.

you've never taken anything that didn't belong to you without consent

It's a given that everyone has done this thing, what gets me is that you feel you're vindicated because you "have Jesus."

I thought you said you weren't a liar. You are an adulterer in God's eyes if you've ever lusted.

Again, read what I wrote, and I'm not concerned with what God thinks because He, in my book, is not real.

the fool says in his heart 'there is no God.'

A perfect example of where the Bible directly contradicts reality, again, it doesn't matter to me what your Bible says God thinks or doesn't think.

It's not just inherent, my friend. It is, and the proof is that we must be taught to not do bad as kids, but we still sin. And your conscience is witness of it.

My conscience is witness to the crimes recorded in the Bible, and inspired by the Bible. Suffering can be remedied, not if you just go around spouting off about Jesus though, you have to do something TANGIBLE. As a side note, don't say call anyone your friend until you're sure the feeling is mutual. As a final note, I feel your post was meant to incite.

 

[Faith In God]

Maybe you should read what I wrote, you did quote me afterall, so read what you quoted.

I did. And I did not discount your assertion of not being a liar after declaring your guilt for good, but I find it hard to believe that you have never told a lie (a non-'noble' one, if you must)

It's a given that everyone has done this thing, what gets me is that you feel you're vindicated because you "have Jesus."

I never said I have not done it. You did. And God vindicates those who trust in His provision for forgiveness of sin.

Again, read what I wrote, and I'm not concerned with what God thinks because He, in my book, is not real.

What book do you read? Your own? As a matter of fact, there are a lot of people who have not committed adultery. But seeing as how in this case you are comparing yourself to biblical ideas of sin....

A perfect example of where the Bible directly contradicts reality, again, it doesn't matter to me what your Bible says God thinks or doesn't think.

Well, if a person is Christian and believes in the bible (duh) then you have a lot of people who would consider you a 'fool', thus my statement is valid in context.

My conscience is witness to the crimes recorded in the Bible, and inspired by the Bible.

Proof of God. Even those who have never heard of Jesus or a bible have a conscience and know that stealing and such is wrong.

Suffering can be remedied, not if you just go around spouting off about Jesus though, you have to do something TANGIBLE.

That is indeed something tangible. Someone being born-again is as tangible as any action can get. If India were a Christian nation, then all of its people would have years of food for its starving people. Why are they starving? They've got millions of cows they won't kill because of the belief of reincarnation. And rats destroy a large percentage of the grain to be eaten, and rats are held in honor as is the cow.

As a side note, don't say call anyone your friend until you're sure the feeling is mutual.

I find it natural to be polite. I wasn't even aware I did that until you pointed it out. And as this is a sidenote, I will acknowledge this idea, but it doesn't change my mind.

As a final note, I feel your post was meant to incite.

Aren't all? Especially in discussion...or if you mean to start a fight, then it wasn't.

 

[MJT]

you have never told a lie

I said, "not that I'm not guilty." Meaning, I have told a lie. It would be preposterous to burn in hell for it though.

never said I have not done it. You did.

I didn't say I didn't do it. When a person says, "You're a thief or this or that," it generally holds that this person is a habitual thief or whatever. I'm not a person anyone would classify as a thief, or adulterer, or liar, etc.

God vindicates those who trust in His provision for forgiveness of sin.

If you say so. I might as well just go out and murder someone then say, "God, I'm so sorry, forgive me." No, obviously I'm not going to do that, and I hope you wouldn't either. This is why it's best to avoid committing the crime in the first place (but according to the Bible I'm a piece of filth unworthy of Christ, but God in his love decided to send Christ anyway).

What book do you read? Your own? As a matter of fact, there are a lot of people who have not committed adultery. But seeing as how in this case you are comparing yourself to biblical ideas of sin....

I suppose you could say I read my own book. You said if you lust you commit adultery, by that definition, everyone's committed adultery (but obviously we realize how preposterous that definition is). You were the one going on the Biblical definition of adultery, not me. But really now, what's wrong with "intimate relations" between two consenting adults? Well, according to the Bible it just is [wrong], I'm sure that suffices for some, but I for one was never fond of the, "Because I said so," line of reasoning.

Well, if a person is Christian and believes in the bible (duh) then you have a lot of people who would consider you a 'fool', thus my statement is valid in context.

...what? So all Christians, if they're good Christians, are going to consider me a fool since I don't believe there's a god? Huh, that really makes me want to be a Christian.

Proof of God. Even those who have never heard of Jesus or a bible have a conscience and know that stealing and such is wrong.

Well that's funny that God would violate with His acts His very own creation... And no, it isn't proof of God, if it was, God would be VERRRY inconsistent. One man's sin is another's righteousness.

If India were a Christian nation, then all of its people would have years of food for its starving people.

...uh huh. The same would hold true if they were all atheists.

 

[SarcasmDispenser]

I said, "not that I'm not guilty." Meaning, I have told a lie. It would be preposterous to burn in hell for it though.

"For ALL fall short of the Glory of God but through grace you are saved". How is that preposterous?

I didn't say I didn't do it. When a person says, "You're a thief or this or that," it generally holds that this person is a habitual thief or whatever. I'm not a person anyone would classify as a thief, or adulterer, or liar, etc.

After you steal, you become a thief, same by definition, goes with the other two as well.

If you say so. I might as well just go out and murder someone then say, "God, I'm so sorry, forgive me." No, obviously I'm not going to do that, and I hope you wouldn't either. This is why it's best to avoid committing the crime in the first place (but according to the Bible I'm a piece of filth unworthy of Christ, but God in his love decided to send Christ anyway).

I'm not sure why the first part was included in there, but to answer the last part... God isn't picking on you. The Bible was written for everybody, He's not condeming you individually.

I suppose you could say I read my own book. You said if you lust you commit adultery, by that definition, everyone's committed adultery (but obviously we realize how preposterous that definition is). You were the one going on the Biblical definition of adultery, not me. But really now, what's wrong with "intimate relations" between two consenting adults? Well, according to the Bible it just is [wrong], I'm sure that suffices for some, but I for one was never fond of the, "Because I said so," line of reasoning.

Where'd you get your book from? As for intimate relations...STD's, and unwanted pregnancies aren't bad enough for you? That's good enough reason for me, even if I wasn't a Christian.

...what? So all Christians, if they're good Christians, are going to consider me a fool since I don't believe there's a god? Huh, that really makes me want to be a Christian.

No, it's not any persons place to judge another. I would hope Christians would not call you a fool, no matter what your beliefs.

Well that's funny that God would violate with His acts His very own creation... And no, it isn't proof of God, if it was, God would be VERRRY inconsistent. One man's sin is another's righteousness.

How is God violating with His acts His very own creation? By giving them a sense of right and wrong? Maybe I missed a part of the argument here...

...uh huh. The same would hold true if they were all atheists.

Point taken.

 

[MJT]

Where'd you get your book from?

My book is my own rational capacity.

How is God violating with His acts His very own creation?

By being bloodthirsty in the OT, and by condemning billions to suffer in hell for eternity; why does that not offend your moral sensibilities?

 

[Faith In God]

I said, "not that I'm not guilty." Meaning, I have told a lie. It would be preposterous to burn in hell for it though.

Ah. That's the point, though not what you said in the first place. Your point gravitates to judging God.

I didn't say I didn't do it. When a person says, "You're a thief or this or that," it generally holds that this person is a habitual thief or whatever.

Define "habitual". Safe.

I'm not a person anyone would classify as a thief, or adulterer, or liar, etc.

Liar: one who tells lies. How long do you have to wait before a lie doesn't count?

If you say so. I might as well just go out and murder someone then say, "God, I'm so sorry, forgive me." No, obviously I'm not going to do that, and I hope you wouldn't either.

That's called using the grace of God as an excuse to sin.

This is why it's best to avoid committing the crime in the first place (but according to the Bible I'm a piece of filth unworthy of Christ, but God in his love decided to send Christ anyway).

If you were to watch a tape of your whole life (thoughts and all, not factoring in time) would you still have the attitude of being basically good?

I suppose you could say I read my own book. You said if you lust you commit adultery, by that definition, everyone's committed adultery (but obviously we realize how preposterous that definition is).

God looks at your thought life.

You were the one going on the Biblical definition of adultery, not me.

I'm not going to play the "You said I said" game. In your first post, you began listing some basic sins. Sin, being a biblical concept, is further defined by Christ.

But really now, what's wrong with "intimate relations" between two consenting adults? Well, according to the Bible it just is [wrong], I'm sure that suffices for some, but I for one was never fond of the, "Because I said so," line of reasoning.

They'd get married if they really had pure motives and had true consent between each other.

...what? So all Christians, if they're good Christians, are going to consider me a fool since I don't believe there's a god? Huh, that really makes me want to be a Christian.

Look into the Grand Canyon and say that. I don't mean to be condescending, but we shouldn't take ourselves that seriously.

Well that's funny that God would violate with His acts His very own creation... And no, it isn't proof of God, if it was, God would be VERRRY inconsistent. One man's sin is another's righteousness.

What? No. If you were to go around the world and interview every kind of person on whether or not they thought lying, stealing, and murdering are right, you'd get a pretty consistant picture.

...uh huh. The same would hold true if they were all atheists.

That would be China.

 

[MJT]

Your point gravitates to judging God.

I will use my rational capacity to decide if a god exists, and then if he is fit to worship. I guess you could say I do judge God; if people don't make these judgements, things like the Inquisition take place, and the witch trials.

Define "habitual".

Pick up a dictionary.

How long do you have to wait before a lie doesn't count?

Why does it matter? If I were a habitual liar when I was a child, but I changed as I grew up, am I still a habitual liar? And are people still going to judge me based on that? No, obviously not.

If you were to watch a tape of your whole life (thoughts and all, not factoring in time) would you still have the attitude of being basically good?

Another preposterous method of judging the goodness or badness of a person. I can only say you have a warped sense of judgement. The thing is, whereas you think you're vidicated, I willingly bear the responsibility for all my actions.

They'd get married if they really had pure motives and had true consent between each other.

And how do you define "pure" motives? It's pure enough that they're both consenting individuals.

Look into the Grand Canyon and say that. I don't mean to be condescending, but we shouldn't take ourselves that seriously.

And say what? That I don't believe in God? I look up to the sky and say it every night. I don't take myself that seriously (although the Christian, in believing that mankind is the center of God's focus does). I just mean to say that I'm someone people would trust (is it a crime to give an honest evaluation of yourself?) and trust not to screw things up. I'm someone who knows the consequences of any given action.

thought lying, stealing, and murdering are right, you'd get a pretty consistant picture.

Depends, I would LIE to save a life, and in that respect lying is RIGHT. In some cultures adultery is EXPECTED, and isn't considered wrong.

That would be China.

All Chinese aren't atheists, it's a farce to even venture that; that's like calling every American a Christian, preposterous.

 

[Faith In God]

I will use my rational capacity to decide if a god exists, and then if he is fit to worship. I guess you could say I do judge God; if people don't make these judgements, things like the Inquisition take place, and the witch trials.

No. You'd be judging those people. God did not do those things, and the people who did them were not following the God of the bible, but rather the god of their own minds.

Pick up a dictionary.

how many lies must you tell in a certain amount of time before it becomes habitual?

Why does it matter? If I were a habitual liar when I was a child, but I changed as I grew up, am I still a habitual liar? And are people still going to judge me based on that? No, obviously not.

How long must you wait before we can discount past sin? If God exists outside of time, then time does not forgive sin.

Another preposterous method of judging the goodness or badness of a person. I can only say you have a warped sense of judgement. The thing is, whereas you think you're vidicated, I willingly bear the responsibility for all my actions.

The definition of good is 'moral perfection'. You think you are good. I know I'm not good. I acknowledge that I deserve hell. You think I am overreacting. God sees your whole life and doesn't factor in time.

And how do you define "pure" motives? It's pure enough that they're both consenting individuals.

For a while. They consent while they enjoy each other. When I say 'pure' I mean that they really love each other and aren't just living for temporary pleasure of each other. If they really love each other, they'll seal it with the bond of marriage.

And say what? That I don't believe in God? I look up to the sky and say it every night. I don't take myself that seriously (although the Christian, in believing that mankind is the center of God's focus does).

I take the bible seriously. I take creation seriously. I take sin seriously. You, however, have said that you will judge God, you judge His existance based on your 'book' of rationale, and think you are a good person, according to the post I responded to first.

I just mean to say that I'm someone people would trust (is it a crime to give an honest evaluation of yourself?) and trust not to screw things up. I'm someone who knows the consequences of any given action.

Everyone does. It is called conscience. They all know, but some people just do it anyway. And as for your integrity, I admire that. But integrity and goodness are not the same thing.

Depends, I would LIE to save a life, and in that respect lying is RIGHT.

I won't respond. You took me out of context.

In some cultures adultery is EXPECTED, and isn't considered wrong.

Like America. In Asia, it is unheard of to divorce.

All Chinese aren't atheists, it's a farce to even venture that; that's like calling every American a Christian, preposterous.

America is a Christian nation (in word. I know very well that a huge majority of the 90+% of professing American christians are fake). Look at its founders. Look at our constitution. Look at our pledge. I was talking about China as a nation.

 

[MJT]

the god of their own minds.

Which they believed was sanctioned by the Bible (well wouldn't you if you could pick out verses that said to kill witches? And to kill the non-believers?).

If God exists outside of time, then time does not forgive sin.

If God exists outside of time, we don't have free will; how can you have free will when all your actions are known both past and future?

The definition of good is 'moral perfection'.

According to??? I think the definition of good is when the good outweighs the bad, when you have "good karma" in other words.

They consent while they enjoy each other.

Should I say, "Duh," to this? And why do people have to love each other in order to take pleasure in each other's bodies?

It is called conscience. They all know, but some people just do it anyway.

Conscience is just society ingraining in a person "right and wrong".

You took me out of context.

I was trying to demonstrate that there aren't moral absolutes.

Like America. In Asia, it is unheard of to divorce.

Monogamy, for one, is unnatural; there are no "monogamous" animals, scientific studies have shown this. Maybe in Asia, people are more comfortable and rational about their sexuality; they know infidelity will occur, and they take it in stride. But Asia is a whole different culture.

America is a Christian nation (in word. I know very well that a huge majority of the 90+% of professing American christians are fake). Look at its founders. Look at our constitution. Look at our pledge. I was talking about China as a nation.

I have looked at the Constitution, and it seems to me that the Consititution is in direct disagreement with the Bible on many many points. And "Nature's God" is not the Bible's God, most of the Founding Fathers knew this, which brings me to my next point. Most of the Founding Fathers were deists, not Christians; read some of their writings sometime, you'll find their opinion on Christianity is very clear. The pledge, as all people know, was modified during the fifties during the Red Scare. We had to show we were "different" from the Communists.