As you may know very well, Goshin, I don't really believe in god, especially the christian god, but I'm glad thing are going well for you and your's.
I hope things keep going that way.
Goshin, you probably know that I don't share your faith, but mine teaches that good things will accrue to good people, irrespective of whether they follow a god, gods, prophets or nothing at all.
Hello, Andalublue.
"Good," as used above, can be confusing, because what's 'good' in a man is not necessarily good in God's eyes.
As Jesus said, "There is none good except the one God" (Luke 18:19). And, as Paul noted, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). God's idea of 'good' is perfect righteousness. No mere mortal has ever achieved that.
Which is why we all need a savior, who is Jesus Christ. And if people don't have the perfect righteousness of Christ, they are lost.
Just thought I'd share that with you.
Since I don't believe in your god, nor indeed in any other, I have to use a different standard to gauge goodness.
Goshin is a good person in my estimation, irrespective, or even in spite of his faith in any deity.
If I have any virtue it is simply that if in doubt, I try to err on the side of kindness and compassion... and even that is something I learned from the Jewish Carpenter.
Your humility does you credit. If you ascribe that to your faith then who am I to say you're deluded? Even if I might ascribe it to more humanistic sources.I thank you for your very kinds words towards me, but I know myself to be a man of many flaws and faults. I do not rest on my own merit but in the Grace of Jesus.
If I have any virtue it is simply that if in doubt, I try to err on the side of kindness and compassion... and even that is something I learned from the Jewish Carpenter.
I think the bold part is the is sense of true spirituality (IMO), no matter what the framework of belief the supports it.
I hope that our efforts at "cultivation" rather than our daily failures are pleasing to our Father, Goshin.
Yes, I find throughout the Bible, and most especially in the teachings of Jesus, that compassion and kindness, mercy and humility, and charity, are extolled as being among the greatest of virtues to practice.
Given that I am flawed at best, and sometimes an outright jackass, I figured I should cultivate those as much as possible.
I thank you for your very kinds words towards me, but I know myself to be a man of many flaws and faults. I do not rest on my own merit but in the Grace of Jesus.
If I have any virtue it is simply that if in doubt, I try to err on the side of kindness and compassion... and even that is something I learned from the Jewish Carpenter.
I am always happy to see Christians who do their best to emulate the best messages in Jesus. From an outsider looking in, there seem to be two basic philosophies about how Christians follow their religion. The one way is "Look at the message from Jesus" , and the other is 'Look at the message about Jesus', which translates into "look at what Jesus did for me'. That give a very different flavor on how Christians will treat others. I find the former attitude much more in line with the Jewish tradition I grew up with.
Christ gave his life for me why would not rejoice and be glad in it?
For if you deny me before men I will deny you before the father.
That's the attitude that gives rise to arrogance and intolerance to others. It's all about YOU and what Christ did for YOU. That does not align with my religious tradition.
That's the attitude that gives rise to arrogance and intolerance to others. It's all about YOU and what Christ did for YOU. That does not align with my religious tradition.
To all Christians, the center and hub and root of our beliefs is in Christ; it is all but impossible for us to speak of our faith without speaking of Jesus. In our faith it isn't "about me" it is "about Him," and what He did was done for all who would receive him as Lord. We can't really say otherwise without violating our own beliefs. Or perhaps I've misunderstood the distinction you're trying to make?
That's the attitude that gives rise to arrogance and intolerance to others. It's all about YOU and what Christ did for YOU. That does not align with my religious tradition.
Oh, I understand. But, that isn't the point I am making. One is 'doing what Jesus said to do'. and the other is 'Look what Jesus did for me'.
Well? What "point" are you on about?
Remembering what Jesus had done for us all (including non-believers like you), is doing, what Jesus said to do!
That's THE GOOD NEWS!
To all Christians, the center and hub and root of our beliefs is in Christ; it is all but impossible for us to speak of our faith without speaking of Jesus. In our faith it isn't "about me" it is "about Him," and what He did was done for all who would receive him as Lord. We can't really say otherwise without violating our own beliefs. Or perhaps I've misunderstood the distinction you're trying to make?
Yes, our faith is about Him and in Him.
It's a daily walk and a dying out of self to do His will as we are not inherently good.
He is a Holy God and desires that we strive to walk a holy walk.
When you are in fellowship with the Lord, just try to do something wrong for the Holy Spirit will be the first to convict you of it and you are miserable until you repent and correct it.