What’s the problem with claiming that God isn’t pleased with the goodness we perform, unless it is the result of the Holy Spirit (or our faith on Jesus)?
What’s the problem with claiming that God isn’t pleased with the goodness we perform, unless it is the result of the Holy Spirit (or our faith on Jesus)?
The problem with the Christian claim affirming that God isn’t pleased with our good works unless the former are the product of the Holy Spirit is that such line of reasoning represents a serious problem, as it doesn’t place the merit upon the “tangible” [and therefore certain] works we do, but rather upon their “intangible” [and therefore uncertain] motives. In other words, it suggests that “tangible” [and therefore objective] things must be judged by their “non tangible” [and therefore subjective] causes.
Why is the former such a serious problem for Christian apologists? It is a problem because it cast serious doubts concerning the overall veracity of the New Testament. Why? Because the latter teaches the exact opposite! In other words, the New Testament teaches that “tangible” [and therefore certain] things should be our guiding standard, when it comes to judge the " non tangible" [and therefore uncertain] things.
For example, the N. T. teaches that you can’t love the invisible God, if you can't even love your visible brother (“If any man say, I love God, and hate his brother, he is a liar: for how can he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, love God whom he hath not seen? ”- 1 John 4: 20).
Likewise, the N. T. teaches that he who does good (no matter what his motives are) pleases the Creator, while he who does evil displeases Him (“… He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God ”- 1 John 3: 11).
Finally, the New Testament teaches that, since only God can judge the invisible intentions of a person’s heart, the believer’s judgment must be based on the visible manifestation of such person’s heart.
As is written: “ For it is not a good tree that bringeth forth evil fruit: neither an evil tree, that bringeth forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit: for neither of thorns gather men figs, nor of bushes gather they grapes … Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns? or figs of thistles? So every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit ”- Luke 6: 43-44, & Matthew 7: 16-17 (1599 Geneva Bible).
When a man does good, he thereby becomes part of God’s own Israel; but whenever he does evil, he thereby becomes part of pagan Sodom and Gomorrah
Whenever a Jew, a Christian, a Muslim, or a Samaritan pursues the life of holiness described by Moses Law, he thereby becomes a living incarnation of God’s true Israel. As is written: “The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto Himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, [but only] if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in His ways ”- Deut. 28: 9, King James Bible).
Conversely, whenever a Jew, a Christian, a Muslim, or a Samaritan pursues a life of open rebellion against Moses words [displaying pride and immorality], he thereby becomes a living incarnation of pagan Sodom and Gomorrah.
As is written: “Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah … For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves. Say ye to the righteous [whether they be Jews, Christians or Muslims], that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked [whether they be Jews, Christians or Muslims]! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him”- Isaiah 1: 9-10, & 3: 8-11, KJV.
Self deception: the highway to homosexuality
The man who, upon observing the wisdom [and wonders] of nature proceeds to say, “These wonders of nature are no proof that a God is behind them! ” (thereby becoming an open atheist), disconnects himself so much from reality that, in the end, will also observe his own genitals and proceed to say, “These genitals of mine are no proof that a man is behind them! ” (thereby becoming an open homosexual). Thus, male homosexuality is living proof that, no matter how smart could a man be, as soon as he willingly renounces to common sense and intellectual integrity, his morality becomes as worthless as used toilet paper
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