Spiritual guidance powered by AI and grounded in Scripture
Your Question:
Can I still be a good person if I'm not a good Christian?
Answer:
As a pastor, I've had many conversations with people who struggle with the idea that being a good person is only possible through a relationship with Christ. Some argue that there are good non-Christians, and that's true, but I believe that's a superficial understanding of goodness. Jesus himself said, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone." This statement highlights the fact that true goodness comes from a relationship with God, and that apart from Him, we are not good. The Bible also teaches that apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, no one is good. Romans 3:23 says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This means that even if someone appears to be good on the outside, they are still missing the inward goodness that comes from a relationship with Christ. As a Christian, I believe that true goodness is not just about outward behavior, but about having a heart that is transformed by God's love. So, can you still be a good person if you're not a good Christian? In a sense, yes, you can still do good things and be a good person in the eyes of the world. But in the eyes of God, true goodness is only possible through a relationship with Christ. As the Bible says, "It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13). Without Christ, our good deeds are like trying to build a house on sand - they may look good on the outside, but they will eventually crumble.
Sources:
why does god allow evil
clay jones
true sexual morality
daniel heimbach
mere christianity
c s lewis
christian theology
millard erickson
depression
edward welch
systematic theology
wayne grudem
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