Not trying to be good never receives Jesus

[robert derrick]

I don't know of any time in Scripture where God ever commanded any man, much less His own people not to even try to be good or do good. And there is plenty of judgment against man for not doing so, especially them that don't care to, including Cain:

And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

The Lord has however admonished His people that trying to be good and do good is laudable, but without Him by faith is fruitless by one's own power, will, and knowledge:

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And so trying to be good is good, but without Christ and His faith within, it is only profitable in this life until the grave.

And those not even trying to be good plainly don't care enough to ever receive Christ in the first place.

Talking about not trying to be good at all, and leaving it at that, is obviously for those who don't believe in being good at all, because they don't want to.

Not trying to be good in one's own power and will is wise, but to leave it at that, without seeking to be and do good in Christ, is just evil.

When as God ever said, "Thou shalt not try to be good."?

 

[robert derrick]

The first necessity of any soul receiving Christ is trying to be good.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Those not trying to plainly don't care enough to seek, ask, and knock for it.

 

[robert derrick]

The people of God trying to be good, are those seeking to keep His law righteously.

That is how the law of Christ leads to Christ: trying to be good as Christ and doing His law like Him.

It's only possible to do so, by having Him and His divine power and love for His law richly dwelling within our hearts and minds.

How can anyone not even trying do the good of His law, care enough to receive Him in order to do so? They can't, because they don't want to.

No strange thing therefore, that those who hate His law and declare it dead, also teach against even trying to do it, whether in the spirit or in the flesh.

 

[thelord's_pearl]

@robert derrick, I agree with you. There is confusion among people on this. From what I understand is, it's actually that we need to try to do good, NOT not even try = that means effort. it's in the scriptures of examples. Whatever God commands us to do in Christ, we need to try to do it and after we've tried but failed THAT'S WHEN grace comes in and if we confess them He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Therefore, there are still sins or things that we can cleanse ourselves and mold ourselves into the image of God if we've gone and tried to be righteous with God in Christ. God can even give us the power to be more and more righteous and cleansed and molded.

 

[thelord's_pearl]

We have to follow God too. God even said "whoever breaks even the least of these commandments will be called least in the kingdom of heaven", which means if you intentionally and without trying, break the least of the commandment. I wonder what least would be like in heaven too. I'd rather be called great in the kingdom of heaven rather than being least and craving to be in the great position or level!

 

[MatthewG]

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 

[Robert Gwin]

I don't know of any time in Scripture where God ever commanded any man, much less His own people not to even try to be good or do good. And there is plenty of judgment against man for not doing so, especially them that don't care to, including Cain:

And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

The Lord has however admonished His people that trying to be good and do good is laudable, but without Him by faith is fruitless by one's own power, will, and knowledge:

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And so trying to be good is good, but without Christ and His faith within, it is only profitable in this life until the grave.

And those not even trying to be good plainly don't care enough to ever receive Christ in the first place.

Talking about not trying to be good at all, and leaving it at that, is obviously for those who don't believe in being good at all, because they don't want to.

Not trying to be good in one's own power and will is wise, but to leave it at that, without seeking to be and do good in Christ, is just evil.

When as God ever said, "Thou shalt not try to be good."?

Amen to that Rob, but what is good?