If christianity isnt about "good works" then what is it about?

Question

Ok I have always had a problem with this aspect of christianity... people say that even if you are the embodiment of goodness in your life on earth.. you help all sorts of people etc do good things, never do anything bad... you will still go to hell if you dont believe in jesus/god. According to one answerer of a question about that.... and I quote..
People's "good works"are like filthy rags to God.
Only accepting Jesus will get you in (Romans 10,Rev 18-22,John 3).

If that is true then whats the point of being christian?? If you dont have to do anything good, you dont have to care about anything all you have to do is accept god, jesus whatever and you are saved and will go to heaven when you die. What is the point of that? makes no sense to me.. isnt life about being good? whats the point in worshipping something that doesnt even care how much good you do, and wont reward you for it... and only cares about just how much you care about them..everything else is just "filthy rags"

I am agnostic, I believe in being good and moral because you are good and moral. I dont believe in god/s and I think it makes me feel sick to hear people say good works count for nothing.. because I believe they do..maybe not to god/s.. but to real living breathing creatures they do count. How do you christians justify saying that only acceptance of jesus gets you into heaven? Wasnt jesus a good person? didnt he act with kindness and goodness towards others? from all I have read the answer is yes, so if he was a good person who died for sins (which are bad) in order to uphold the good, then why would he condemn people like him who are good to a burning hell hole?? I mean isnt accepting goodness the same as accepting jesus who was the embodiment of all that is good? Who is to say that my belief in goodness isnt the equivalent of believing in jesus by believeing in what he represented?

Answer 1

C.S. Lewis answers your question better than I could ever do:

"Asking which is more important, faith or works, is like asking which blade is more important in a pair of scissors."

Answer 2

This has been interpreted all too narrowly for a long, long time by a great many Christians.

The simple fact is, God can save anyone he chooses to save.

That said, no one can force God to save them, simply because God is God.

Due to the nature if original sin, all people are, by default, born in sin and dedicated to Satan, the devil.

If that's not remedied by baptism prior to death, the situation will very likely become permanent.

Faithful baptism into the church, followed up by a lifetime of charity and self giving, plus true contrition and repentance for sins, provides a person with the greatest and most realistic hope of eternal salvation in Christ.

So, once baptized, good works do matter.

Without baptism, there's no assurance of salvation, no matter what, but God might choose to make an occassional exception.

Answer 3

First the lord want you take care of this first;The Bible says you go to heaven or hell . If you want to go to heaven all you have to do is believe that you are a sinner and Jesus went to the cross to pay for your sins and shed his blood for you and if you believe that just look up and ask him to save you and you will be in heaven with him forever when you die. This is what the Bible says. Be Informed Before Leaving Earth

Then he wants you to go and tell other people how to get saved. then just do the best you can and read you King James Bible and let him teach you and enjoy the ride it is great when the lord shows the way.

Answer 4

Christianity isn't about doing good works or being a good person. It's about recognizing that you do wrong things and ask for foregiveness.

Christianity is establishing a relationship between two people and two people only, yourself and Christ. The main point, in fact all the points are about that one thing -- establishing a living a developing relationship between Christ and yourself. It's not about doing good things, if you miss the relationship, then you have missed the point of becoming a Christian.

Answer 5

The bible is filled with contradictions. If you want to worship God/Jesus, that's your business, but if I were you, I wouldn't take the bible literally. I don't understand what is so good about doing good deeds, not because it's the right thing to do, but because it will get you into heaven. A life of good deeds and morality is its own reward.

Answer 6

Only accepting Jesus will get you in

I've been told that too and do not believe it either, but cause if you accept Jesus then you should also do good and follow that path, but oops that's works that won't get you in.

Some people think all they have to do is say it and tada that's their ticket in and they can do anything they like, because works doesn't matter anyway.

Answer 7

the excellent suited solutions are got here upon interior the e book of James the place it ideal defines what the 'faith component' is of the Christian faith. This takes into consideration that this additionally calls for having a dating with Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. the different religions as such, don't have a Risen Savior, they are words in a e book, and idol to worship that may not be able to do something to help your soul . basically the Risen Savior can help and that's extra advantageous than what guy can attempt to do. As guy won't be able to make amends for his own sins, that's what Jesus did for the full international, basically the full international would not opt for to have faith in Him. think of with the aid of each and all of the international's religions, the place is their founder ? In a grave that has no longer been opened and faith won't be able to declare that. via fact basically Jesus has Risen from the grave. it rather is the main distinction in what makes Christianity real, and the others no longer . it rather is why the Bible became written to coach you the fact and characteristic each and all of the evidence to be made time-commemorated from the 1st hand comments that have been recorded. the different religions have their words of 'know-how from guy', no longer from God and there's a distinction between the two !!! attempt examining in Isaiah, in Genesis, in Revelations, and interior the Gospels, and you will see that the prophecies that have taken place are real, and achievable evidence of God's presence being real interior the lives of those whom are His followers. understand that he's real, and that He is customary with of who you're as properly. the different religions are seen with the aid of God as idolatry. He even challanges the idols and is customary with of that they are able to't do something !

Answer 8

Nothing that we can do can help us to be reunited with God. Only God can bridge the gap. Christianity, IMO, is about allowing the Spirit of God to work within us to transform us into the image of Christ. Not all Christians think this way.

Answer 9

This will mess with you, Hitler was a Christian and received last rights...he died wanting forgiveness from God. According to doctrine, that would mean that despite what he had done, he went to heaven.

Answer 10

the passage you provided addresses the motivations behind "good deeds", if they are not done with true intentions they are filthy as rags. We all have our reasons and they all tend to reflect personal motives. By accepting Jesus, you are able to see the bigger picture by being able to distinguish "pure" from personal.

Answer 11

christianity is NOT about good works. good works do not get you into heaven. having a faith in jesus christ DOES. God doesnt care about good works if you havent acceptied jesus into your heart. dont get me wrong, he cares about you, he loves you, but hes just trying to tell you that good works mean nothing if you dont have fiath. (in jesus) and yes, only ONLY inviting jesus into ur heart will get u into heaven. not anything else. you have to believe jesus died for you to forgive ur sins. and he rose again and that u have sinned. God cares about you. he LOVES you. but there is no point in good works, if you dont have jesus. anybody ahve any questions about christianity or faith or Jesus, feel free to email me!!!!!1