How could it be more moral to be moral if your doing it out of fear of God verses being moral because you simply want to do whats right? Because if your doing it out of fear and intimidation of hel l and not bc its in your heart,than your really not moral whatsoever,just "smart" enough to avoid the repercussions,just as those who behave just to stay out of jail. But for those who are moral,just to be,because its the right thing to do and they dont do it bc their worried to death over eternal fire, its still valueless morality because your going to meet satan one day regardless of the life you live. So in effect, being saved (which I have been) is just a "get out of hel l free card". Do what you want,rape,kill,ect bc you have been saved bc you believe in Jesus,all is forgiven. What a load of bull. All religious books were written by humans all believing whats being written is what Gods will is. All these humans deciding what God wants,judging endlessly over what the truth is.
2006-11-20 04:03:18 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, you're obviously curious about it else you wouln't be in this forum.
By the way, "being saved" doesn't just include saying those magic words and you get your "get out of hell free" card. Being saved entails having a RELATIONSHIP with God. You say you've been saved - but I hope you understand what real salvation is. See my answer to 5solas here. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=A9FJujDs4GFFUXoBQxLsy6IX?qid=20061120080114AAQxKC6
2006-11-20 04:05:50 · answer #1 · answered by lmsleigh1 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Interesting. I actually like your question.
Being moral out of fear is worthless IMO. Fire insurance is what I call your "get out of hell free card" I think a lot of churches even teach that concept. That is the feeling I get from my Catholic friends. You're right, it isn't worth anything.
But, I think your notion of being saved is not Biblical. True salvation involves a change of heart. When you love Jesus, you obey Him out of that love. Not out of fear. That is His intention at least. He does expect obedience, so no, it doesn't allow for going out and doing as you please. If you do that, you don't really love Him, therefore, you're not saved.
Forgiveness is for the times when we screw up. It isn't a licence to sin. Salvation is a judgement of your heart. Is your heart's desire to do what is right? If we desire what is right and good and we make every effort to do so, we are forgiven for the times that we don't succeed. Yes, it happens every day, but hopefully it happens less and less and the big (earthly consequences) sins get disappeared quickly.
Romans 6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
2006-11-20 12:15:11 · answer #2 · answered by BaseballGrrl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For me, this is only a problem when christians make the blatently stupid assertion that atheists cannot be moral. As though human altruism is not existent. Very dumb indeed.
However, when I see good works or am the beneficiary of same, I think it's inappropriate to dig too deeply for motives. Much better to enjoy the largesse and genuinely appreciate it.
That of course fails, if the "good work" is proselytizing. They think it's "good", I think it's insensitive and insulting.
2006-11-20 12:08:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Obeying the scriptures and following the Lord are out of LOVE for Him- We who are saved through Jesus Christ have NO fear of death. The Fear of the Lord is a reverant and HOLY fear. We LOVE God so much because he first loved us. Many do not quite understand JUST what He did on the cross- until they do, they will never understand the Love of Jesus Christ.
2006-11-20 12:06:25 · answer #4 · answered by Mandolyn Monkey Munch 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The living God doesn't need us. He wants us to love Him. Do you follow out of love or fear? He knows your motives.
God offers, no He seeks you for a relationship. You have captured His heart...now, He wants to capture yours.
2006-11-20 12:11:03 · answer #5 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great question! YOu are right! I follow God because God is all love, and it annoys me when people talk as if GOd is judgemental
2006-11-20 12:08:00 · answer #6 · answered by daisy322_98 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋