2007-08-05 07:52:35 · 18 answers · asked by bethybug 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Almost everyone will agree with the question, "are you basically a good person?" I've heard that even criminals plotting their next crime think of themselves as basically good.
This tells me that if we're free to make up our own standard for good, then we will always set that standard so that we fit within it. It is a beautiful example of our human capacity for self deception.
I don't even have to bring up the subject of God to show that we're not good.
A good person does the right thing for the right reason. Mostly we do our good deeds for self praise and for the imagined praise of others. Sometimes we do the right thing because we fear the consequences of doing wrong. Neither rewards nor fear are the right reasons. Seen under this standard, none of us are good.
2007-08-06 00:26:59 · answer #1 · answered by Matthew T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I often think about this situation. It’s 1944 and a German concentration camp guard, a devout Christian who takes his family to church every Sunday, is escorting a family of Jews at gunpoint to their death in the gas chamber. A few years later, after the war, he asks the lord’s forgiveness for his sins and lives out his days in what he thinks is a moral fashion and dies of old age. According to the bible, since he accepts Jesus as his savior and has confessed his sins and asked for forgiveness, he will go to heaven after he dies. The innocent Jewish family on the other hand, having never accepted Jesus as the son of god but otherwise having harmed no one, will die horribly at too young an age and not be able to experience all of the things that the guard is fortunate enough to enjoy in life and will burn in hell for eternity. That’s just sick man.
2007-08-05 15:09:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a good person is just the foundation of getting into heaven. First you have to believe that God sent Jesus, his only son, to save us all from a world of sin. After you do this you must want to be a follower of the word and then you ask God in a simple prayer to cleanse your sin and come into your life and make it wonderful. and if you truly believe in God and all that he has done for you. there is absolutly no doubt that you WILL go to heaven.
2007-08-05 14:57:58 · answer #3 · answered by Kel 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No; Works of being just a good moral person will not do it. You have to be born again.That means all your good works are gone and now you have to be lead by God to do His work. I though the same thing; I would say if they are making it to heaven I surely would, because I don't do what they do. Drink, smoke, curse, cheat, and steal; "boy was I wrong!" I was doing all these good works alone, not letting God be my savior or leader of my life.
2007-08-05 15:29:11 · answer #4 · answered by † White-Eagle Prayer Warrior † 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO absolutely NOT! The only thing that will get someone into heaven is to confess their sins and ask Jesus to come into their hearts. Jesus says," I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, NO ONE comes to the Father but through ME."
2007-08-05 17:45:53 · answer #5 · answered by tinkiewinkietoo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry but no.
The story of Canelious in Acts chapter 10 clearly points this out.
Carnelious was a good man "Acts 10:1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly
but he still needed to be saved- born again- John 3:5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
God bless you
2007-08-05 15:08:17 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. God says there is not one good enough. as we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
There is only one way to Heaven. To accept Jesus into our heart and know He is our personal saviour, that HE died for our sins and will come back again to take us home to HEaven with Him. To confess Jesus withour lips and confess our sins, to repent of them and turn away from them. GOd says there is no other way. Jesus heals, Jesus delivers and Jesus saves. and miracles still come as much as they did in the days of old. I always wonder for those that never saw a miracle, once they do, will that be enough to draw them to the Lord??? I wonder
I have seen many miracles, and JEsus is my Lord. I pray HE will be Lord of you all, do it soon tho, as we must accept Jesus before we die or He comes again and facts are, He is coming SOON.
Another great question bethy
2007-08-05 17:09:28 · answer #7 · answered by full gospel shirley 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe in an after life,however I would like to believe my way of living life could be judged by any deity and be found to have merit. Should Their criteria extend beyond the 'Golden Rule' and a respect for our environment then I shall be judged head held high.
2007-08-05 15:13:16 · answer #8 · answered by Russh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO, NO, AND BY THE WAY NOOOOO!!! We are saved by faith through Jesus Christ. His grace is what gets us to heaven. Not our works, or what we do. True we are to have works, or fruits, that show our salvation, but that is a natural product of being truly saved. God Bless.
2007-08-05 18:27:18 · answer #9 · answered by Joel 2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No!
There is no way for us to "earn" our way to salvation.
Our salvation is by Grace alone through Faith alone.
Matthew 7:22-23
22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
Chosen by God is the only way
Sola Scriptura
2007-08-05 15:01:32 · answer #10 · answered by SimPlex 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋