Is it impossible to be a good Christian by leading a morally good life only?

Question

I'm not a Christian myself but i believe that there are many good moral values preached in Christianity.So wouldn't it be sufficient if people believed that such advice was preached to them by Jesus,a wise kind man,and live according to those ethics and principles?

Are you saying that however correct a moral life a person leads he's destined to hell simply if he doesn't believe in the existence of a supernatural power i.e.God?

Isn't this rather unfair? Wouldn't it be somewhat like a student who handed in an excellent answer failing merely because he didn't acknowledge the teacher who marked it as superior?

This question isn't meant to condemn or insult.I'm merely curious.

"No, there are things you have to do...by living a life that YOU think is OK...doesn't make you a good christian."

I didn't mean by living a life I think is ok.I meant if one really did live according to the moral values preached in Christianity..

Answer 1

There is still things you are required to do. First you have to believe that Jesus is God's son and be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost for the remission of your sins and you will be added to the church that Jesus established on the day of Pentecost. Then you have to live a clean and christian life following the example of Christ. Keep your eyes on the goal and you will be among the saved on the last day.

Answer 2

It depends on the denomination. There is no way to analyze what "Christianity" maintains, because there is no such thing as "Christianity." There are thousands of individual religions with different opinions.

But, if you define Christianity by the teachings found in the New Testament, early Christian writings, and the indigenous Christianity found in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, you certainly can live a good moral life without believing in any higher power, and still be saved in the next age.

If you define Christianity by Roman Catholic and Protestant standards, the outcome is not so good. Most Protestant denominations maintain that what you believe is more important that what you do. That, of course, is completely at odds with what the Bible and historical Christianity maintains.

Answer 3

While I could go in to a great more detail I will state it simple. There is no such thing as a good man. It is true that the non-Christian can do "good" there motives are at best desires of the right they instinctively know of the true God. At worst they have some other motive in mind. Regardless only that which is done with the right motive, to please God, will endure. In this case the pamphlet is not only rude it is wrong. Works are how you can recognize a fellow believer, but it does not guarantee their salvation. It is an old argument from the dawn of Christiandom. Faith without works is dead but only faith in Jesus saves. I can say that if a person has never heard the word of God and acts on the right that God has placed in all hearts they will indeed please the Father. The sheep and the goats parable illustrates this. But, to reject the Father in word or deed will earn destruction.

Answer 4

Yes, it is impossible if you do not confess Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. That means you serve, follow, and obey Him. The bible tells us that
"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

What that means is that you can do all the good works that you can (and you should anyway as a Christian), but your good works ALONE will not save your soul.

And you can live a moral life (which you should as a Christian), but that too is not enough if you do not believe that Jesus Christ IS the Son of God.

A lot of people think they live a morally good life because they don't steal, drink, do drugs, cuss, etc. But they might be living with someone out of wedlock, or they might tell "little" lies from time to time.

We can not live a morally pure life without the assistance of Jesus Christ. We need a Saviour. If we could do it on our own...why did Jesus suffer and die on the cross for us?

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May God Bless You.

Answer 5

It all depends on what you think a good christian is. You presuppose that Jesus was a wise, kind man, but remember, he got the death penalty which was something your average "wise and kind man" didn't get. As Christians, we participate in the life of Christ, not just merely follow Jesus' good advice (which he really didn't even give). Being good and doing good social work is wonderful and pleases God I'm sure, but it doesn't make one unique or holy; separated from the corruption of the world, making us one with God. That takes relationship and intention. I wonder if God could really love us and care for us if God didn't want to be involved with us?

Answer 6

I guess that would just make you a good person, which I would hope God would be happy enough with,.

But not all morales that Christians hold are Christian Morales. Hell if Christ wouldn't be running into the oval office turning over George W666 Bush's desk. He'd probably still hangout with drug addicts, prostitutes, and hobos.

Answer 7

Because of Adam and Eve's disobedience, we all inherited the sin nature. We are all sinners. All of us can be homosexuals, murders, fornicators, thieves, adulterers, gossipers, addicts, gluttons or liars. Probably even more than one of those. We all posses this sin nature, which causes us all to be born separated from God and do the things that He has told us not to do.

Jesus came to the earth for the purpose of becoming the blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. Those of us who will choose Him as our Lord and Savior and repent (which means to turn away from sin), will be given the free gift of forgiveness and eternal life with God.

God doesn't want anyone to be lost. He loves us so much even though we are born sinners. He has provided Jesus’ sacrifice for us while we are still sinners.

Not choosing Jesus is the only way that we remain separated from God. It is then, our job to stay filled with the Holy Spirit that He has given to Christians (those who have accepted Jesus) for the help we need to obey Him. Prayer to Him and obedience is what God has ask us to do for our benefit.

Coming to Jesus for love, leadership and forgiveness is the way to have a better life here, a renewed relationship with God and the promise of Heaven. The only way.

So you see, it is not how good we are that can take away the sin nature that we have inherited. It is Jesus' sacrifice.

Answer 8

I am a Christian and believe that you must go through the Son to get to the Father. I do not believe that you will go to hell if you do not believe yet because God is a merciful and righteous God. I believe that you will be given a chance to change your mind. Hell was created for the fallen angels who rebelled against God, Satan was Lucifer God's arch angel. God created us, he loves us, and has always wanted a relationship with us. We sinned and caused the separation from God. God walked and talked with Adam. He created us in His image. Jewish people live by faith or the law ( the 10 Commandments) they are judged by righteousness, Christians believe that Jesus, God's son has become the ultimate sacrifice for their sins as prophecy has foretold. In the Jewish law, an atonement had to be made and Jesus was the last atonement for all our sins. It is sin that separates us from God, and we all have sinned. Without Jesus there is no way to the Father. Sin and Glory don't mix like oil and water. It is great to have good morals and live this way. Trying to get to heaven would be like trying to get to a penthouse floor without stairs. It is not acknowledgement it is a relationship that God wants and he has given us the way. God is a fair God, he knows your heart and when you are ready he will call you for it is only by His Spirit that you will know him. You don't fail with God it is always your choice whether to receive Him and his wonderful gift of love, salvation and eternal life. You may not acknowledge Him but he will always Acknowledge you. We are spiritual beings as well as mortal. You are already connected. He is always near. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Hope springs eternal and HIs Love Endures forever

Answer 9

JESUS wasnt just some wise kind man.He was the son of the living GOD.What was the son of living GOD doing here on earth.Well the first humans sin.When they sin they rebel against GOD so GOD has to sent them out of his presence because he cant bear sin near him such is his holiness.But GOD want us to be with him once again so he sent JESUS to earth to be an offering for our sins,the perfect sacrifice for us and the penalty of all our sins.So that is why JESUS came,lived a life without sin and died on the cross so u and i can be reconciled back to GOD through JESUS.


U see our good works cant earn us a place in heaven. "There is no one righteous nope not one" Read Romans 3:10."And everyone is sinner".Read Romans 3:23

If our moral life can take us to heaven do u think GOD would place his son JESUS in such pain just for nothing?I mean who do u think GOD is sacricing his son for.No one ?Nope he has done it for us.

So u need someone to wash your sins.The blood of JESUS is your ticket to heaven.Whats moral to u might not be moral in heaven.Because we are judged according to heaven standards.But sadly no one can meet them.But when recieve JESUS as your saviour.U meet the heavenly standards and all your sins are blotted out.JESUS is the only way to heaven.Nothing Else.

GOD loves u so much that he sent his son JESUS to die for u to reconcile u back.

John 3:16 says "For GOD so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoso ever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life".Ask JESUS to come into your heart and forgive ur sins and cleanse ur past with his blood.

With a simple prayer like above u can be saved.

Answer 10

GOD has one standard- perfection. Unless you are 100% perfect and sinless, you are barred from entering the kingdom of heaven.

If sin were to be allowed in GOD's kingdom, it would be the same as the world today- with suffering, sickness, crime, war, death, etc. No thanks.

If you can't see your own sin, read the Law which will expose it for you. We are all exceedingly sinful. This is were Christianity is different from all other religions. All other religions teach that we can learn to be good. The Bible says we are evil and can never redeem ourselves.

In GOD's love for us, He has given us the blood of His Son. GOD will attribute you the righteousness of Christ if you believe in Him.

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I just found a good video on the subject.

http://www.leestrobel.com/videos/Christianity/strobelT1023.htm