if bad deeds cannot be erased by good deeds that why should sinners do good deeds?

Question

some of you wrote here that bad deeds cannot be changed and that the sin cannot be changed into merit.
if it is so, then why should we sinners make good deeds?
For example, if it is the same to make small mistake and many big mistakes and if we are doomed, then why should be good at all?

Answer 1

That is one the the problems with Christianity

Answer 2

Good deeds are not intended to erase bad deeds. Deeds, good or bad, are a result or outpouring of the state of being of the doer.

If you are a sinner, then you sin. The sin, or bad deed, is a symptom of the fact that you're a sinner. Or a symptom of the a struggle with sin for a believer (Romans 5-8.)

If you become Good (are born again, in the Christian/Evangelical vernacular) then good deeds will be the "symptom" if you will, of a restored heart.

Focusing on the deeds is putting the cart before the horse. It is not one of the "problems" with Christianity. Lack of understanding is one of the problems with discussing this issue.

Answer 3

There were some good answers here, but it feels like something important is missing. Is it possible for people who aren't Christians to do good deeds? Can someone who is really good and pure become united with God?
It's interesting that both the yogic answer - give and do good without any expectations - and the Christians' answer - give and do good as a result of expressing your happiness and gratitude for having God come into your life (not because you expect to gain something), end up being the almost same in the end. What would the Sufis say?

Answer 4

If you are a sinner, God says that the only thing that counts for righteousness is a relationship with him. Thankfully, starting a relationship with God is easy. All you have to do is believe you are a sinner and Jesus paid the price for your sin. Then you need to read and learn with the help of the holy Spirit what God's will is for your life.
People try to be good, thinking that deeds earn salvation, but salvation is a gift. To try to buy a gift is an insult to the giver of the gift. All we have to do is accept and show appropriate appreciation.

Answer 5

who wrote that bad deeds cannot be changed by good deeds? And how could the ones that wrote that know for sure? Do they realy make good deeds?
Only if you do a good deed without waiting anything for exchange, than it is considered a sincerely good deed, and you will go on to a better way if you continue to be sincere with yourself.
What is the need of doing bad deeds?

Answer 6

the jewish writer known as the tzror hama'or explains that good deeds help balance out the bad deed but do not remove the punishment earned, but an important part of repenatnce is the erasing of the stain of the act -- along with this is the acceptance that the act was done and incurred a penalty.

Answer 7

Sins are set out in the bible, everything else is not a sin, just transgressions. Some people think that everything you do that they don't particularly like is a sin. Relax, even the7 deadlies aren't sins. read the ten commandments people do good deeds, bcause itmakes them feel good, and God knows, with some of therestrictions religions put on people, anything that feels good can't hurt. Come on, you can't smoke, drink alcohol, drink coffee, flirt, dance, wear pants if you are a woman, listen to non church music. too many rules and none of these were set down by God.

Answer 8

As far as i believe the only thing that you have to do to get rid of sin is repent and turn away from that sin and give your heart to Jesus.It is not a matter of deeds.It however is a matter of relationship with God who understands our weakness and is able to give us both grace and also the strength to overcome and deal with all sin.This life is a struggle but when you have a real relationship with God he helps you along the way.He will never leave you or forsake you.He is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.When you have and maintain a relationship with him he helps you through even when you sin he is there to help you,to love you and forgive you once you are honest and broken.Give your best and God will do the rest.It is all about relationship.That was the reason he created us.To love.

Answer 9

We are not doomed. Christians don't do good deeds to get to heaven, we do them because we have a relationship with Jesus Christ and we want to do God's will. We cannot undo all the sins we have committed, but we can improve on our relationship with God. That is what he cares about the most. If your heart is with God, you will want to change your bad habits and do good deeds. Plus, it makes you feel good to do good to others.

Answer 10

Bad deeds aren't erased by good deeds, but they're evened out. Allow me to explain:

You kick me in the groin. Then you buy me a soda. I know from history that there's a chance you'll kick me in the groin again, but if you do, you're likely to buy me a soda. If I really really like soda, as in it's enough to compensate for being kicked in the groin, I'll still hang out with you, but my perception of you as a person is still altered: it's the same basic equilibrium, but it's still different.

The concept of redemption for sin that I use is equivalent exchange. But if a good deed cancelled out a bad deed, the good deed itself would ALSO be cancelled out, and that doesn't happen either. Rather, each effect exists independently of the other, and balances but does not dismiss the other.

Answer 11

We live under the grace and mercy of God. We trust that our sins are forgiven when we ask forgiveness and repent. We repent by not sinning. You can't replace a bad deed with a good deed. You have to be forgiven.