Why Try To Do Good?
As stated in the gospel message, a person's "good works" do nothing to earn salvation. God's expectation from humankind is nothing short of perfection, a requirement no one can meet. Salvation is only possible through trust in the redemption earned by Jesus Christ.
What then is the motivation to struggle against our sinful nature?
- It is God's desire and command for you to be good. God himself has commanded us to live upright lives.
- Gratitude for the free salvation earned for you by Christ It is a natural response for those who sincerely believe and accept God's free salvation to want to do his will and live according to his precepts.
- It will increase the happiness in your life on earth God, the one who created you, knows what is good for you. He desires blessings for you, and following his commands makes for a happy life. Understand that God does not guarantee anyone freedom from suffering in this sin-tainted world. However, the Bible does state that indulgence in sinful wrong-doing will ultimately lead to despair and unhappiness. God promises help in resisting temptation and the means to persevere through the temporary suffering which exists on earth.
Related Bible Passages
-
When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
Titus 3:4-5 -
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
James 1:19 -
Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 -
He who seeks good finds good will, but evil comes to him who searches for it.
Proverbs 11:27 -
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith, but has no deeds?
James 2:14 -
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.
James 4:7 -
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10:13