is trully deeds without faith meaningless?

Question

do you think that even if someone lives a rightful live but doesn't believe in the Jewish-Christian God is condenmed to hell?

the pope didn't think so

Answer 1

I believe that we should live our lives now, not for some indeterminant reward when we die. And part of living that life means doing good works, not for the goodies but because that's what good people do.

Answer 2

The answer to both of your questions, from a Christian perpesective, is yes.

To elaborate further:

James and Paul both talk about faithless deeds. Though the passage you are quoting from is from James. The point that James is making about deeds with out faith being meaningless is the fact that people can't work or earn thier way into heaven through simple good works. Man kind simply can't be good enough. That is why God sent Jesus to bring slavation to man. Without the belief (and yes, that is faith) then all the good works a person did is meaningless because they won't count for eternity. In the end only those things that count for eternity have value. (in simple terms; being a good person is not enough for salvation.)

Paul in Romans says that all man has sinned, and the punishment for that sin is death. It doesn't matter what sin you committed, if you have ever sinned you are guilty and the punishment is death. Now that death is more than a physical death, it is a spiritual death, a seperation from all that is from God. Christians have a name for this place - Hell. If you have never accepted the gift of salvation that God has freely given to all men (it is given, but all men have the choice on wether they will accept it or not), and you die today, you will be in hell. But if you choice to accept the gift of salvation; then you will be in heaven with God and your deeds will not be meaningless.

For further reading I would recommend these passages:

Romans 3:23; 6:23-24; 5:8; 10:9-10
John 3:15-20
Ephesians 2:6-9

If you are serious and have more questions please feel free to email me.

Answer 3

I believe that what Jesus taught and what is taught in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is that God fully loves unconditionally and accepts unconditionally every human being that exists or has ever existed. After all, we are His creations. Many religions with many devout followers (not just Christianity) have taught that good deeds and true belief with faith AND a true worship and love of God are necessary for the entry to heaven. The 10 commandments are probably the place to start to find out what behaviour is pleasing and not acceptable to God. Seems to me that it is bad deeds, not lack of good deeds, that are the entry key to hell; Ex: murder, adultery, worshipping no other God, etc.

Answer 4

I John 3:18 says to not love in word, but in deed and in truth, so your righteous deeds are an act of faith whether you think you believe in God or not. What about this Jewish-Christian God do you not believe in? Hell is another whole thing. Why would a God of love create people only to subject some of them eternal torment? He wouldn't (and didn't). Please don't let the simple minded religous traditions of men rob you of a relationship with a loving God.

Answer 5

Yes I do. This question was a hard one for me when I first became a christian. The fact is that the Bible teaches me that a person that truly receives salvation from God has such a heart change that he/she cannot help but do Godly works. In other words, works without God are just works. Works with faith is a given or salvation is not truly heartfelt. Even people with evil in their hearts can do acts of good no matter their intentions.

Answer 6

There is only thing that will send you to hell and that is to reject what the Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross for you. He died for your sins. He was buried and took your sins away. He rose again the third day for your justification. There is only one God. Living your life rightful will not get you into God's heaven. We are all sinners and need a savior. You told a lie when you said you lived a rightful life so that make you a sinner. Romans 3: 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Romans 3: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 5: 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Answer 7

Well....its more then just believeing in God...its believeing and surrendering your life to him and believing that Jesus died for your sins! And once you do that...you will be inspired to do the deeds that go along with faith! And you are not condenmed to hell yet....EVERYONE still have a chance to open their heart and surrender their life to Christ.

Answer 8

Lets seperate the Original Source Documents, The TORAH and Tanakh from the confusing New Testament about living right.
According to the Torah, every person will be rewarded for doing good..both here and in the life of the world to come after resurrection. However, the Christian version of the Bible, specifically the NT according to Paul, contradicts that teaching. For all that matter, Jesus and James and Peter. who I suspect as being fictional characters, IMO,,,,nevertheless also credit the matter of great importance by declaring that One inherits eternal life by keeping the HEBREW TORAH... (instruction to the rich young ruler). James says unequivocally, faith WITHOUT deeds (works of right living) is dead. Very important to see and understand that Paul was trying to sell a new religion,,,after all, he came by and collected their offerings every first day of the week...so you can see how Christian preachers love his doctrine.
But for me and my house, We will serve the LORD GOD with doing good deeds for family, friends and neighbors,,may all be blessing. Sincerely (No, I am not Jewish...but they have the word of Truth...can one do any better? I think not.
And scratch that Christian version of plagiarized pagan Greek mythology about Hades.....it doesnt exist apart from the fevered imagination of demented and unhappy preachers and priests...though Priests at least have reason for their unhappy condition...owing to the RC rules against the very Command of GOD to marry, be fruitful ...etc. But Christians, and their version of hell fire...its pure paganism myth. Check out the Prophet Ezk. Chp 37.- 39.....Good news imo. sincerely

Answer 9

I think you can only do the best you can, and have faith that god by any name would understand that it's hard to put your faith into only one religion, after all now there are so many religions and there are pros and cons to all of them... Just be a good person, and help others and when your judgment time comes you'll be seen for your deeds.

Answer 10

If I were a 14yr Hindu old Hindu, living in a Hindu community in rural India, in poverty, and I lived kindly and generously, and died from a viral infection, why would ANY god send me to hell ??
Are you suggesting that the Judeo/Christian god is different than the Hindu god ??
God is God, and God is GOOD. All mankind is accountable for their personal deeds. In Christianity, Jesus picked a faithless man (Thomas) to be one of his disciples. So, faith is not as important as love, and love includes deeds. Good luck on your journey.

Answer 11

The only way to get to heaven is if you believe that Jesus died to save your sins. That's what the bible says, and the bible tells you everything God wants you to do. There is nothing you can do to increase your chance of getting to heaven, because Jesus already gave it all so you could go to heaven. God understands that there are people who never get a chance to know Him, and He is merciful. You sound like you have thought about this before, and so have I.
If you still have unanswered questions, go to church!! Try lutheran, it's a very bible-based church. I am a LCMS lutheran (lutheran church missouri synod) and I haven't had any conflicts with the beliefs. we only believe in the bible, unlike mormanism. I hope you are saved! I don't know what I would do without faith.