If you believe in God and believe he will forgive you, what incentive do you have to be a moral person?

Question

Is morality possible with theism?

Answer 1

Because when you truly commit your life to Christ, you no longer want to do things that are immoral. You no longer hide from the light and have joy from living in Truth.
My love for Christ is my motivation.

Answer 2

Rousseau's reputed last words: 'God will forgive me - ce'st son metier [that's his job].' Very bad philosophy. Proves he knew nothing of the nature of God or of divine forgiveness.

When a person is forgiven by God, they know it! They don't just hope God has and will [continue to] forgive them, or that he OUGHT to. They experience a cleansed conscience. It's a glorious event. When they thereafter sin (because we're all sinners) their conscience stings them and they are appalled at going back to a bad conscience. So they hasten to repent and seek forgiveness again. They learn that their appreciation for God's forgiveness of them is commensurate with their willingness to forgive people who hurt / wrong them. The more they forgive others, the more they experience God's on-going cleansing of their conscience. So, experientially, they become aware of this incentive.

This is what happened in the Harland & Wolff shipyards in Belfast many years ago, after revival in the city. Big sheds had to be built especially for the huge quantity of stolen goods returned by the now converted shipyard workers. This is known as the fruits of repentance - evidence of reparation. When you see that, you know that God is at work and not mere noble aspirations of human philosophy.

Answer 3

I love God. That is my incentive. It is the nature of the relationship as Kl said. Love is the foundation for morality and ethics. If you love Christ, you will keep His commandment to love one another. If you are forgiven for some infidelity, why would you risk it again? That's just crazy!!!

Answer 4

I like Linz VT AM's response to kl's response.

And I don't think kl's response to Linz VT AM's response quite works to avoid implying that morality is independent from God, as she is still measuring "statutes" against "morals", which means the words are not synonyms, and implies morals come from somewhere else.

Answer 5

A persons moral fiber. And the prospect of feeling the guilt after!

Answer 6

Not this one...AGAIN!!!

It is just as tiring as "If you don't believe in God, then what incentive do you have to be a moral person?"

Feeling a little moronic yet?

Answer 7

Morality in part logically precedes belief in god. From the Christian perspective, there are many good ways to live, but the search is for the best way to live. The assertion is that one can live a good life outside the Christian community, but one cannot live the best life. Please note, that being in the Christian community is no guarantee that one will live the best life either.

HTH

Charles

Answer 8

According to deontological theories of morality (like Kant's), morality doesn't require an incentive.

Answer 9

the desire to live out eternity in heaven is the incentive, and living as best you can by Gods word.plus , why would a person want to live an immoral life, it only hurts others.

Answer 10

Choice

Answer 11

When you have a relationship with the living God, you don't want to sin, you at least try not to sin.

Religion is man's way of trying to reach God. Relationship is God's way of reaching us, through Jesus Christ.

It's about relationship...have a one on one encounter with the living God and your life will be changed, too!