Someone's answer got me thinking. In christianity is there a difference between a "good" person and a "saved"

Question

person? I can see how probably a lot of the time they'd be the same, but it seems like some people just do what they have to do to get into heaven and don't care about going above and beyond to be a "good" person.

Answer 1

Oz never gave nothen to the tin man, that he didn't already have. I'd let God sort us out.

Answer 2

This is a common misconception that a lot of people ("Christians" included) have.

You can't "do what you have to do to get into heaven." It doesn't work that way. If you simply "do good works" and/or say a prayer asking Jesus into your heart and then think you are saved, you'd better think again. Its not biblical and thus has no basis in Christianity.

One who truly believes in Christ will, according to Jesus' very own words, obey Him. They will follow Him and do what He does.

No one can deny that Jesus was a great man and that His ways are worthy of imitating. But we often don't see the same out of "Christians." That's because most people who attend church simply don't get the point...they're not saved if they aren't willing to lay down everything and follow Him (Jesus said this also).

Thus, leading a life following God is inseparable from being saved.

As for being "good," Jesus said that only God is good. Those who truly ask for forgiveness and turn their lives around, however, are made "righteous," meaning that their sins are erased and they can now be in God's presence. Jesus uses the word "good" to mean "perfect," and none of us are that.

Answer 3

Most christians believe that being only a good person will not get you into heaven, but that that person must accept Christ as their savior. A truly saved christian should Want to be a good person, not just try to get into heaven by praying and reading their bible. As christians we are instructed to go out into the world and help those in need, whatever that need may be.

Answer 4

First and foremost, the definition of good must be clarified. In Webster’s, I saw that good was defined as "morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious (Pious-having or showing strong religious feelings, reverence for or devotion to God etc),a good man" There are over 50 other definitions, but I believe this is the one you implied.

Next, let’s define saved. Again from Webster’s "rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin; "a saved soul".

How is a person saved, or rescued from the consequences of sin?

In Islam, a person must perform Sawm fast and praying during Ramadan to express appreciation and atone for past sins.

In Christianity, Christians believe that through faith in Jesus one can be saved from sin and spiritual death. Jesus' death was an atoning sacrifice that took away the sin for those who believe it.


In Judaism, Jews are commanded to search their souls for sins they may have committed, intentionally or not, and if possible, make amends.

So, if a person was "morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious: a good man" it is completely possible for that same person to be a wonderful charitable person who respects religions and religious people, gives money to every charity in the world and has done numerous selfless things, but has not performed the actions necessary to satisfy the religious requirements above to satisfy the title of "saved".

If I say a man is good, you can infer that I agree or approve of the things he does. The term good can reflect opinion and is not necessarily a statement of fact.

If a man is saved, that is a statement of fact. Salvation is however, the determination of God, not us and I therefore have no way of knowing if a man is indeed saved. That is why religious people might accuse a person of not being saved because they disagree about the religion used to become saved.

Answer 5

yahh, those that are good actually take into practice God's laws (ten commandments and Jesus' teachings) and actually are a good person that turn away from vice and temptation, living their life as a pure spirit which is really difficult to achieve but you gotta have the willpower and dedication to pull it off... basically to do that you cannot demean, victimize, manipulate, unlawful critisms, slander and most importantly... no sex before marriage... that being huge. there are more but it's better to pursue being good than to avoid being bad.

Like for instance look on the positive side of things no matter how negative, look for hope and happiness, help those that need it whether they are a stranger or not... cause it may just be our Lord... never really know... God works in mysterious ways. I'll give the same advice Mother Teresa constantly spread, "Look for the Jesus in everyone" cause say for instance he was walking the Earth again and he was that stranger that just slipped on a patch of ice and you were walking by, how do you think he would feel being denied even just a thoughtful jesture as "Are you alright?".

It's kinda sad that being a nice, good and compassionate person nowadays is what gets you mocked and frowned upon...cause garunteed in a group of people all would have either laughed or talked shiit and not one would have stopped. I personally get really sick of it. But what i'm trying to say is that no matter what religion/race or w/e as long as you are a good person God will embrace you.

So basically if you were in that group and you decide, "ya, **** these assholes i'ma go see if he's alright" you never know... he might become the love of your life cause some strangers are infact just "perfect" and live the rest of you're life in total bliss...being God's gift to you for doin the right thing, and even if he isn't Mr Right, he'd still be gracious and could lead to other things... and if not you have every right to go back to your friends and call them all assholes if they make fun of you... and who would wanna be friends with them anways, *** emm.

Cause then put yourself into that guys position who fell and all your "friends" just walked off laughing, you'll be like "Glad that's not my group of friends"... haha sorry i trailed off... but just to give some insight i sppose.

Answer 6

Oh absolutely there is a difference. There are many, many 'good' people who aren't saved. (I'm using quotations only because it's such a nebulous word, I don't mean to imply anything about people's 'goodness') And there are some saved people who are real jerkwads. Ideally someone who is saved will be a 'good' person because a true relationship with God means a lot of being 'good.'
But there are many 'good' Wicca and atheists and Hindus etc. Christians do not have the market cornered on 'good'

Answer 7

There is a difference. Jesus said, when someone called him good master, not to call anyone good, that there was only one who was good and that is the Father in heaven. Jesus also said that there will be many in that day, final judgement, that will say they cast out devils and raised the dead in His, Jesus', name but he will say, depart from me I never knew you. Beware of "good" people and even people who say they are "saved". Salvation is a day to day thing. There is no "once saved, always saved" . The Bible says time and again that we are to endure and to fight to the end. And it also says that we can lose our salvation. If you are sick, you need "salvation" from that illness. If we live our lives like the Bible tells us to, we won't stay sick and have to learn to live with it or other problems, we will pray and praise God until we overcome whatever the problem or illness is. Most churches conveniently avoid talking about that because no one wants to work at doing anything, that is our nature. Hope this helps.

Answer 8

Yes. Good doesn't mean saved. The same things goes for saved not meaning good.

Over time, the saved person will be positively influenced by the Holy Spirit, and will become a good person, depending on the social norms - they will begin to fit what we in the West consider good.

The problem for the good person, in my belief system, is that no matter how good they are, their goodness will not save them.

Answer 9

A good person is someone who does good and strives to lead a noble life out of his conviction, philosophy or belief and is already saved whereas a saved person is someone who is just the opposite but suddenly sees the ugliness of his/her own adverse behaviour/lifestyle and makes an effort to turn over a new leaf. Both are saved and not lost.

Answer 10

A good person does good things. A saved person knows God. Personally, I'd rather be a good person in the eyes of an evangelical or a fundamentalist. I don't want any part of their saved. I, personally, believe that we all go Home. It doesn't matter what we believe when we die. We are here for our purpose, and when it's over, we leave.

Answer 11

People can be saved, but then struggle the rest of their days with problems . For example, alcohol abuse etc... that doesn't make them less of a Christian - this is why we are not to judge others.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. John 15