Why do you feel it is so hard to be good?

[Grailhunter]

I would be interested in knowing what verse that Paul wrote that you are referring to.

Are you talking about not paying attention to the commandments of men?

Since you brought up Paul and then stated that doing good us not that hard, here is what Paul said:

Romans 7:19 KJV
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

It seems then, even for Paul, its not as easy.

True we do not know the issues that Paul was dealing with.
And we are not Paul....and regardless the New Testament doesn't give any examples of Christ or the Apostles living lives of sin.
Now Matthew, a tax collector and Paul a murderer....reformed Ahh!

 

[FHII]

Human standards? What else is there, here on earth. I know, that you know, that Bible is not about practicing and applying Christianity after we are in heaven....it is about the here and know...this topic can go so many directions.

We are in the flesh, but we have the mind of Christ. We sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. And while we are in the flesh, we are not in the flesh (see Romans 8 in which Paul was writing to men in the flesh and telling them they were not).

Yes, its confusing, but we are both a spiritual man and a flesh man while on earth. Which of these two do you think God is more interested in?

Now if you want scriptures that we should judge sin or avoid sin let me know.

Do you believe there is a time to be long suffering and for bearing one another?

We are not going to be holy....the New Testament does not tell us to be holy.

Actually, it does.

1 Peter 1:15-16 KJV
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

So there it is, and now I ask you: can we clean up our flesh enough to be holy, or do we need an advocate to testify on our behalf? In other words, do we need grace?

The New Testament tells us to obey Christ ... this is not an opinion....it is a fact....period.

I saved this one for last. I fully agree with this statement. You gave a long list of scripture, and I know and agree with them all. You are right: it's not an opinion. I urge you to hear the conclusion of the whole matter.

But you left out one very important detail. We are to obey Jesus's commandments, but you have neglected to say what those commandments were.

So what were they?

Matthew 22:36-40 KJV
Master, ad which is the great commandment in the law? [37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

1 John 3:22-23 KJV
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. [23] And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

James 2:8 KJV
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Paul, John and Peter all elaborated on moral behavior (but never claimed they were beyond grace), but Jesus himself didn't comment too much on condemning sins of the flesh. He did some in his mount sermon, but only to show how it was impossible to do. There are verses that suggest he was called a drunkard and glutton, was friends with publicans and sinners and talked to prostitutes (without condemning them).

Moral behavior comes into play to some degree. However he's not looking for us to clean up our fleshly lives. He said to love the Lord and love your neighbor.

Luke 18:8,14 KJV
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

He isn't looking for clean flesh... It shall never inherit the kingdom.

Some "moral" behavior must be applied. Lying, stealing, adultery is not loving your neighbor (well the last one kinda is, but that's not what he means!) But much of what a typical list of "moral behavior" includes has nothing to do with these commandments. Cigarette smoking, drinking, wearing sexy clothes... Nothing to do with the commandments.

To summarize this point: Jesus gave two commandments, and neither or them said stop sinning and be moral. Sometimes they apply, but they are not the commandments.

Again, I'm all for moral behavior (especially when I am defining it), and I am for not sinning, but they shouldn't be confused with salvation or Jesus' commandments.

One more thing... A pet peeve of mine. We don't need a license to sin. We are going to do it with or without a license. What we need is forgiveness for sins. Both from the Father and our neighbor.

That's part of love.

 

[Grailhunter]

Yes, its confusing, but we are both a spiritual man and a flesh man while on earth. Which of these two do you think God is more interested in?

LOL He has to take both.
And we have to deal with both.

Do you believe there is a time to be long suffering and for bearing one another?

That part is easy....most of the time....that between them and Christ....unless one of these sin and sin some more fellows that think they are going to heaven....rape a loved one....then things go south.

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

So there it is, and now I ask you: can we clean up our flesh enough to be holy, or do we need an advocate to testify on our behalf? In other words, do we need grace?

Hey I like this....ok we are holy.

So what were they?

Matthew 22:36-40 KJV
Master, ad which is the great commandment in the law? [37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

1 John 3:22-23 KJV
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. [23] And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

James 2:8 KJV
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Paul, John and Peter all elaborated on moral behavior (but never claimed they were beyond grace), but Jesus himself didn't comment too much on condemning sins of the flesh. He did some in his mount sermon, but only to show how it was impossible to do. There are verses that suggest he was called a drunkard and glutton, was friends with publicans and sinners and talked to prostitutes (without condemning them).

Moral behavior comes into play to some degree. However he's not looking for us to clean up our fleshly lives. He said to love the Lord and love your neighbor.

Luke 18:8,14 KJV
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Are you thinking that this is the extent of moral guidance the New Testament gives us? Good topic we need to expand this. But still the question is; why do you feel it is so hard to be good...what sins are the hardest to avoid.

However he's not looking for us to clean up our fleshly lives.

This one we need to talk about.

o summarize this point: Jesus gave two commandments, and neither or them said stop sinning and be moral. Sometimes they apply, but they are not the commandments.

And this is the problem with these commandments. To vague. We love God by sinning?
Neither of them said stop sinning....LOL...belly roll...buddy if you think Christ or Christianity said nothing about cleaning our act up or stop sinning! I don't know what to say, cause it is literally everywhere...maybe we can discuss this.

Again, I'm all for moral behavior (especially when I am defining it), and I am for not sinning, but they shouldn't be confused with salvation or Jesus' commandments.

You mixed salvation and Jesus commandment so I will just say, I disagree.

One more thing... A pet peeve of mine. We don't need a license to sin. We are going to do it with or without a license. What we need is forgiveness for sins. Both from the Father and our neighbor.

License to sin is OSAS in motion....how is it a applied? Sin all you want and still go to heaven. The ramifications is that heaven is ful of horrible characters and all manner of sin....how is that a reward for us our children...our children and grandchildren damned to spend eternity with all manner of sin. The belief ends up describing hell.

 

[FHII]

Are you talking about not paying attention to the commandments of men?

Well if you want me to do a word search, I've narrowed it down to two verses. And like I said, they mean exactly the opposite of what you are saying.

Are you talking about not paying attention to the commandments of men?


True we do not know the issues that Paul was dealing with.
And we are not Paul....

What difference does that make? He confessed what he did and while we may have different circumstances and may be in a different boat, we are in the same storm.

Paul....and regardless the New Testament doesn't give any examples of Christ or the Apostles living lives of sin.
Now Matthew, a tax collector and Paul a murderer....reformed Ahh!

... And Thomas a doubter, and Peter a denier, and Noah a drunkard, and Jacob a deceiver, and Rehab a harlot, and Gideon a coward, and Joseph a trickster.

Maybe these weren't lives of sin, but they were sins. When you get to heaven are you going to scold them? God forgave them... Some of those things were a bit more serious than smoking a cigarette.

Furthermore, technically speaking, even Jesus broke the law concerning the Sabbath. He didn't because he was the Lord of the Sabbath, and had a deeper understanding, but yeah... Technically he did.

Heck... Peter stayed in trouble all the time! Jesus called him Satan and said he still needed to be converted.

The Bible may not detail the "life of sin" of Jesus and the apostles because it wasn't the point. But there is enough in the Bible to let us know that they were men of like passions. And that applies to Jesus as well.

 

[Grailhunter]

Master, ad which is the great commandment in the law? [37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

This is another debate; Christ was talking to the Jews about the Mosaic Law and if you reread these verses closely you will see that is a summery of the Mosaic Law.

 

[MatthewG]

Is it hard to be good?

 

[Grailhunter]

Well if you want me to do a word search, I've narrowed it down to two verses. And like I said, they mean exactly the opposite of what you are saying.



What difference does that make? He confessed what he did and while we may have different circumstances and may be in a different boat, we are in the same storm.

... And Thomas a doubter, and Peter a denier, and Noah a drunkard, and Jacob a deceiver, and Rehab a harlot, and Gideon a coward, and Joseph a trickster.

Maybe these weren't lives of sin, but they were sins. When you get to heaven are you going to scold them? God forgave them... Some of those things were a bit more serious than smoking a cigarette.

Furthermore, technically speaking, even Jesus broke the law concerning the Sabbath. He didn't because he was the Lord of the Sabbath, and had a deeper understanding, but yeah... Technically he did.

Heck... Peter stayed in trouble all the time! Jesus called him Satan and said he still needed to be converted.

The Bible may not detail the "life of sin" of Jesus and the apostles because it wasn't the point. But there is enough in the Bible to let us know that they were men of like passions. And that applies to Jesus as well.

Sorry the site made a milk shake of my response....trying reconstruct it now.

Lets not stack the responses the site cannot handle it.

 

[FHII]

LOL He has to take both.
And we have to deal with both

No, he doesn't have to take both nor does he chose to.

1 Corinthians 15:50 KJV
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

1 Samuel 16:7 KJV
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Do we have to deal with both?

2 Corinthians 5:16 KJV
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

We aren't supposed to.

And this is the problem with these commandments. To vague. We love God by sinning?

That's a real problem with men.... God was real specific with the Mosiac Law, and it was too hard. Then God widdled it down to just two things, and now its too vague.

God forgiving sins and we forgiving each other is not saying we love God by sinning! I mean... That's just a rediculous thing to suggest.

That part is easy....most of the time....that between them and Christ....unless one of these sin and sin some more fellows that think they are going to heaven....rape a loved one....then things go south.

Well the verse I was thinking of is not between "them" and Christ... Its between us.

Ephesians 4:2 KJV
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Its amazing when you talk about forgiveness people always go to the bottom right away: murder and rape. I agree those are tough things... (I must say,as bad as these are God has been known in the Bible to forgive them... There was a punishment, but ultimately it was forgiven).

So I would ask you to think of all the possible sins and tell me where we should draw the line and where God drew the line.

Are you up for that challenge? I wouldn't be.

Hey I like this....ok we are holy.

Praise God! I am happy for this!

Are you thinking that this is the extent of moral guidance the New Testament gives us? Good topic we need to expand this

No, but it is the starting point. I have said moral behavior will have to be employed, but it is not the objective.

Neither of them said stop sinning....LOL...belly roll...buddy if you think Christ or Christianity said nothing about cleaning our act up or stop sinning! I don't know what to say, cause it is literally everywhere...maybe we can discuss this.

Never claimed that. I have said many times moral behavior is discussed. Just don't confuse being moral with salvation.

Grailhunter, there are many moral Muslims, Buddhists and Aithiests. Buddha even summef it up perfectly: "Good words, Good thoughts, Good deeds". I agree and I think even Jesus would too. But that doesn't being salvation.

You mixed salvation and Jesus commandment so I will just say, I disagree.

No I didn't. You have me confused with someone else... Jesus was the one who said that. Frankly, I thought you were on board with that we must keep his commandments.

Was I mistaken?

License to sin is OSAS in motion....how is it a applied? Sin all you want and still go to heaven. The ramifications is that heaven is ful of horrible characters and all manner of sin....how is that a reward for us our children...our children and grandchildren damned to spend eternity with all manner of sin. The belief ends up describing hell

Oh no! Look... This really is going to take us a different route, because there is a connection, though it is false.

The connection is John Calvin, but it is all wrong. If you really want, I will discus it.

This is another debate; Christ was talking to the Jews about the Mosaic Law and if you reread these verses closely you will

No, its not another debate. You kept saying that we have to obey Christ's commandments, and here they are! I gave you scripture of James and John quoting it and I think Peter and Paul probably did as well.

Furthermore, if you are going to say we have to obey Christ's commandments, well... 99% of them were to the Jews so they must not apply to us either.

So do we go to Paul? I'd like to! He did say alot about morals, but he said twice as much about grace (that subject that you seem to think is off topic) as he did about "morals".

 

[Grailhunter]

Are you talking about not paying attention to the commandments of men?

Well if you want me to do a word search, I've narrowed it down to two verses. And like I said, they mean exactly the opposite of what you are saying.

This conversation runs from Titus 1:10-16 mostly and Titus 1:16 is very relevant to this topic.
Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

True we do not know the issues that Paul was dealing with.
And we are not Paul....

What difference does that make? He confessed what he did and while we may have different circumstances and may be in a different boat, we are in the same storm.

Not necessary the same storm....some storms are worst than others.

... And Thomas a doubter, and Peter a denier, and Noah a drunkard, and Jacob a deceiver, and Rehab a harlot, and Gideon a coward, and Joseph a trickster.

Awesome point! You see when we sin and we repent and ask forgiveness then, then that forgiveness also includes forget. I would not know the sins they committed. Unforgiven sins are not going to be in heaven. No evil in heaven.

Furthermore, technically speaking, even Jesus broke the law concerning the Sabbath. He didn't because he was the Lord of the Sabbath, and had a deeper understanding, but yeah... Technically he did.
Heck... Peter stayed in trouble all the time! Jesus called him Satan and said he still needed to be converted.

and

... And Thomas a doubter, and Peter a denier, and Noah a drunkard, and Jacob a deceiver, and Rehab a harlot, and Gideon a coward, and Joseph a trickster.


First off I am not talking about Old Testament characters. Doubting and denier...the struggle to believe....a good topic.
But did not see Christ soliciting prostitutes....Paul getting drunk and passing out....and Peter courting men...that is what I am talking about...none of that.

OK THAT IS A LITTLE BETTER...

 

[Grailhunter]

No, he doesn't have to take both nor does he chose to.

1 Corinthians 15:50 KJV
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

1 Samuel 16:7 KJV
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Do we have to deal with both?

2 Corinthians 5:16 KJV
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

We aren't supposed to.


That's a real problem with men.... God was real specific with the Mosiac Law, and it was too hard. Then God widdled it down to just two things, and now its too vague.

God forgiving sins and we forgiving each other is not saying we love God by sinning! I mean... That's just a rediculous thing to suggest.


Well the verse I was thinking of is not between "them" and Christ... Its between us.

Ephesians 4:2 KJV
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Its amazing when you talk about forgiveness people always go to the bottom right away: murder and rape. I agree those are tough things... (I must say,as bad as these are God has been known in the Bible to forgive them... There was a punishment, but ultimately it was forgiven).

So I would ask you to think of all the possible sins and tell me where we should draw the line and where God drew the line.

Are you up for that challenge? I wouldn't be.


Praise God! I am happy for this!


No, but it is the starting point. I have said moral behavior will have to be employed, but it is not the objective.


Never claimed that. I have said many times moral behavior is discussed. Just don't confuse being moral with salvation.

Grailhunter, there are many moral Muslims, Buddhists and Aithiests. Buddha even summef it up perfectly: "Good words, Good thoughts, Good deeds". I agree and I think even Jesus would too. But that doesn't being salvation.


No I didn't. You have me confused with someone else... Jesus was the one who said that. Frankly, I thought you were on board with that we must keep his commandments.

Was I mistaken?


Oh no! Look... This really is going to take us a different route, because there is a connection, though it is false.

The connection is John Calvin, but it is all wrong. If you really want, I will discus it.


No, its not another debate. You kept saying that we have to obey Christ's commandments, and here they are! I gave you scripture of James and John quoting it and I think Peter and Paul probably did as well.

Furthermore, if you are going to say we have to obey Christ's commandments, well... 99% of them were to the Jews so they must not apply to us either.

So do we go to Paul? I'd like to! He did say alot about morals, but he said twice as much about grace (that subject that you seem to think is off topic) as he did about "morals".

Too stacked...one or two at a time.

 

[FHII]

But still the question is; why do you feel it is so hard to be good...what sins are the hardest to avoid.

Grailhunter, you have asked me and others this question several times. We have had a wonderful and respectful conversation and I have enjoyed it. So I hope you are not put off by this question: Ate you really that naive?

Its not a Biblical saying, but there is a saying that says never judge a man until you walk in his shoes.

I live in a neighborhood that is not very nice. The people here are angry all the time, drugs and alcohol are rampant, people are self absorbed and have a hard time being considerate to their neighbor. There are a lot of sins around!

And there are reasons for this. Unemployment is high and those who are employed don't usually make enough money. Most folks around here are from broken families. Some kids have parents that were on drugs when they were born and they still are. Some people were introduced to alcohol at age 12 and grew up with it. Gang activity has been around too, but I haven't noticed it lately.

And despite all the social outcry and programs to help, it doesn't change.

Now, I grew up in a good household, but that is what I live in now. Its what I can afford and yeah... I am still standing strong. But some of the folks I mentioned is me.

But I speak not of myself, but for those around me. I see what the children in this neighborhood are being raised in. Its bad. And the sad thing is there is worse and not far from where I live.

And you have the audacity to ask what sins are hard to avoid!

 

[FHII]

I am retiring from the conversation for the evening... May not be able to respond until Wednesday. Until then... Peace

 

[Grailhunter]

Grailhunter, you have asked me and others this question several times.

It is the topic of the thread.

Ate you really that naive?

No.

Its not a Biblical saying, but there is a saying that says never judge a man until you walk in his shoes.

Well don't judge. And I agree with that saying.

And you have the audacity to ask what sins are hard to avoid!

Yeap I am still asking it. And it is a valid question.

Now for some humor I will bring up a comedian.
I don't know if you remember Sam Kinison about world hunger
I cannot copy it in here because he does some cussing.

But essentially he says we should sent U-hauls to Ethiopia instead of food and explain to them that they will continue to starve there because nothing grows there, so they need to go where the good grows.

Now I am sure that there are reason why people do not move out of bad places. But still the over all logic is...get out.
Hitch hiking can be better than some places....
Still does the place justify the sins?
Some say that the path to hell is paved with good intentions....that is probably true.
But I say that the path to hell is paved with justifying your sins.

 

[Grailhunter]

I am retiring from the conversation for the evening... May not be able to respond until Wednesday. Until then... Peace

All cool.
We can get back at it later....thanks

 

[VictoryinJesus]

After all, Paul (after his conversion) was pretty good. But even he said "the good I would do, I do not. But the evil I would not do, that I do". Yet... Paul was a good example of who to pattern after.

a question concerning Romans 7:18-22 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

the question is in walking through what it says to me, asking for corrections in misunderstandings:
First) for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Then in the same passage Paul goes on to speak of the flesh being weak. consider Christ words here Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
How did Christ lay down His Life for others when He spoke of His own flesh being weak but the Spirit is indeed willing?
what “the will is present with me” in “but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

That same “the Will is present with me” Paul said, and even warned in 2 Timothy 3:5 to not deny the power thereof: “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

romans 7:1 begins with “for I speak to them that know the law, how that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? The same Paul that said “yet not I, but Christ lives in me.” …“The Will is present with me”?

Second) we end there with Paul’s words “for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (Speaking of how the law of sin and death has dominion over a man as long as he lives)
But in the next chapter Paul speaks of following after the Spirit and not after the flesh. The flesh no longer having dominion in the following chapter as opposed to how the previous chapter began with “know you not brethren how that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?
As Paul said there was no good thing in the his flesh,(or to walk after the flesh which leads to death) but goes on to say walk not after the flesh but to instead follow after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:4-9 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. [8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. )
9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

third) for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Romans 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

2 Corinthians 12:18-21 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: [21] And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and (that I shall be found of you as you would not) that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Point is: does it end with Paul saying the will is present with him but how to perform that which is good he finds not…the end of the whole matter with Philippians 1:6 ? Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

 

[Truman]

"I" can't make this suit white, but I can wash my robes in the blood of the Lamb.
This is, in my opinion and experience, and according to my understanding of the word of God, a process.

 

[quietthinker]

BE GOOD AND DO GOOD has become my slogan on this forum.
I feel like the Johnny Appleseed of be good.
Why has it come to this on this forum?.
Probably one of the most worth while discussion we could have.
I CONTEND THAT IT IS NOT THAT HARD TO BE GOOD!
I CONTEND THAT IT IS NOT THAT HARD TO LIVE A NEARLY SINLESS LIFE!
NOW PROVE ME WRONG!

The truth will set you free! Be honest.

Your subject matter it appears is an obvious projection!

 

[Grailhunter]

Your subject matter it appears is an obvious projection!

Not at all.

 

[BarneyFife]

BE GOOD AND DO GOOD has become my slogan on this forum.
I feel like the Johnny Appleseed of be good.
Why has it come to this on this forum?.
Probably one of the most worth while discussion we could have.
I CONTEND THAT IT IS NOT THAT HARD TO BE GOOD!
I CONTEND THAT IT IS NOT THAT HARD TO LIVE A NEARLY SINLESS LIFE!
NOW PROVE ME WRONG!

The truth will set you free! Be honest.

It appears to me that Enoch figured out how to overcome sin completely, if not virtually. I believe if a person walks closely enough with God, they will become completely like Him in character. I've had some phases where I was much closer than I am now. Of course, all is of Grace and all glory be to God and His Son!

 

[VictoryinJesus]

BE GOOD AND DO GOOD has become my slogan on this forum.
I feel like the Johnny Appleseed of be good.
Why has it come to this on this forum?.
Probably one of the most worth while discussion we could have.
I CONTEND THAT IT IS NOT THAT HARD TO BE GOOD!
I CONTEND THAT IT IS NOT THAT HARD TO LIVE A NEARLY SINLESS LIFE!
NOW PROVE ME WRONG!

The truth will set you free! Be honest.

Johnny Appleseed of good. But what of Revelation 3:1-2 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. [2] Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

dead works? Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Easy to be good you said but below admit it is impossible to be perfect.

Difficulty.
The tread is about "Why do you feel it is so hard to be good?"
Why?
I am saying it is not hard to be good. Prove me wrong.
Now it is impossible to be perfect....I am talking what is hard.
It is a worth while discussion because I think people are getting it wrong.
So tell me.

good …Johnny Appleseed good. From my experience you are right it is easy to be good because it puts on a show before men and gains what we want which is admiration and boasting in ourselves of every good little deeds. But what of His saying you can be good all day long, you can play Johnny Appleseed but if you fail in one point you fail in all?

you said it is impossible to be perfect that they might be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:43-48 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. [46] For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? [47] And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others ? do not even the publicans so? [48] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
No? What are we saying then “what do you more than others?” It is Easy to do good. As you said “impossible to be perfect.”