unselfish works like a work of the Holy Spirit by a non-Christian, what about that?

[thelord's_pearl]

Hi,
I am having a hard time differentiating b/t a non-Christian who does unselfish works that are the same as a Christian who does good works of the Spirit? I have seen this personally and believe this to be true. What is the difference??? Is the difference just that a non-Christian doesn't have a pattern of doing this all the time while a Christian makes it a pattern for their everyday whole life? Thank you!

 

[ScottA]

Hi,
I am having a hard time differentiating b/t a non-Christian who does unselfish works that are the same as a Christian who does good works of the Spirit? I have seen this personally and believe this to be true. What is the difference??? Is the difference just that a non-Christian doesn't have a pattern of doing this all the time while a Christian makes it a pattern for their everyday whole life? Thank you!

Acts prompted by the Holy Spirit promote the greater works of God toward His greater purpose for creating the world. While the good acts of otherwise good people, are lesser acts as they are limited to this world, as compared with God and the kingdom of God which is greater.

 

[Lambano]

Hi,
I am having a hard time differentiating b/t a non-Christian who does unselfish works that are the same as a Christian who does good works of the Spirit? I have seen this personally and believe this to be true. What is the difference??? Is the difference just that a non-Christian doesn't have a pattern of doing this all the time while a Christian makes it a pattern for their everyday whole life? Thank you!

This is an interesting question.

Don't assume non-Christians can't have a pattern of doing good works; I've seen a few who do. I'm trying to find the right words to express the significance of doing unselfish works in the context of growing up as a child of God versus doing them alone. And bringing the Holy Spirit into play... I don't know; maybe that's a deficiency in myself.

 

[rwb]

Hi,
I am having a hard time differentiating b/t a non-Christian who does unselfish works that are the same as a Christian who does good works of the Spirit? I have seen this personally and believe this to be true. What is the difference??? Is the difference just that a non-Christian doesn't have a pattern of doing this all the time while a Christian makes it a pattern for their everyday whole life? Thank you!

The problem as I see it is the works done in unbelief receive merit/reward in this life. That is praise from the world. But works done by Christians are done by the power of God in us, for the Bible tells us that it is God working in us to will and do that which brings praise to Him. That's why it is written, if we say we have faith but do not have good works our faith is really no different than those who do good deeds in unbelief. Believers glorify God through good works, but the works done in unbelief bring glory to man. Hope this helps!

Colossians 1:29 (KJV) Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Philippians 2:13 (KJV) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Matthew 5:16 (KJV) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

[thelord's_pearl]

Hi guys!

Thanks for the replies!

I think that the difference is also that a non-Christian lacks the full guide of the Spirit and will never be perfect in the Spirit doing it alone in the world. There will be imperfection as our fallen nature. But someone who is a Christian has a full guide of the Spirit found written in the Word of God and can make sure that all the attributes of the Spirit are met in their life and that none are missing.

 

[Davy]

Hi,
I am having a hard time differentiating b/t a non-Christian who does unselfish works that are the same as a Christian who does good works of the Spirit? I have seen this personally and believe this to be true. What is the difference??? Is the difference just that a non-Christian doesn't have a pattern of doing this all the time while a Christian makes it a pattern for their everyday whole life? Thank you!

Rom 2:9-15
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
KJV

The idea is that God blesses even the non-believer that does the good things in His law.

However, God also... said that now, it is time for ALL to repent of the old evil ways...

Acts 17:29-31
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.
KJV

Which is why the following was also said about being saved...

Acts 4:10-12
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom ye crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
KJV

There is NO OTHER NAME than Jesus Christ under heaven whereby we can be saved. So it's time for man to put away his idols and false worship, and repent, and turn to Lord Jesus Christ and be saved!