Did you ever wonder what causes people to act "bad", and then others act "good"? Why do some people perform hideous actions in life while others are a constant strength to people?
Well, for myself I think it "boils down" to 2 things in life: 1)a person's motives and 2) a person's morals.
Motive is defined: an emotion, a desire, a certain physical condition in life that causes a person to act or to change a situation...impulsively if the situation demands it.
Virtue is defined: to conduct yourself in an ethical manner, to have principles established in your life that has roots in moral excellence.
Now, here is the thing I have noticed: just because people "talk about Jesus, or go to church quite often, or are preaching the "need of God" in a person's life....doesn't always make them a "good" person.
In fact, I have seen some "pretty messed-up stuff ", like some Christian guy that "talks the talk...big time... but doesn't walk the walk." Honestly, sometimes it is disheartening.
That is why people who do not understand Christianity are appalled for example when a "Christian brother" is "preaching the Gospel" and turns around and "rips ol' ladies of their life savings" or takes advantage of a widow. We have all seen or read of behavior like that along with other evil-concocted ideas and atrocities that happen way too many times in life.
Then there are the "good ol' boys", "honest as the day is long", and keeps everything in life "above board"...yet it is sometimes visible they hurt too...maybe the family relationship thing isn't going too good and the 'good ol' boy" spends his time drinkin' it up at a local bar, killing off "pain" life has dealt him.
Yet, whether it is twisted thoughts like the guy preaching the Gospel only to gain things for his own personal benefit, or the good ol' boy who is treating others with respect... yet parts of his life are a shambles..the question arises: "Hey, what about those matters of the heart?"
For the way I understand it, Christ Jesus and His Death on the Cross was for each one of us, and no one can ever be morally excellent enough to gain an inner peace on their own merit. There may have some of "warm and fuzzy" feel good moments...but our hearts?...they are still twisted.
So, whether our lives exemplify moral excellence or we are simply a "scumbag", hearts that depend on their own "God-given" (I say this sarcastically) abilities, or some rationale that says if we do a certain amount of good toward others...then God is happy with us..are dead wrong.
In fact, the answer to that is: "No..that is not what makes God happy about us." Why?...because if we could do anything on our own to be a "good person"...then why did Jesus suffer at the Cross?...and why did He do it for us...if we could do this ourselves?
Now does God hate us?...No...He hates sin in our life. He loves us...how do I know....because he sent His Own Son to give me a Life...a real Life!
We can't make our hearts pure, we can't have pure motives on everything in life, we really don't have that power...and here is the reason: it's not because of a lack of mental tenacity or a physical capability...it's because of sin...whether we want to hear it or not...we don't have the capability to overcome deep rooted sin...that has found root in each one of us.
For myself, that is "the True Heart of the Gospel"....I can't be a "good guy"...no matter what proud credentials I may think I have....I can't shake deep-rooted sin in my life....but I know Someone who can ....
What really is "sin" you might ask...thinking you may have your life all under control( thank-you)...Really? Well, if that be true then why did God send His Own Son to die..what kind of Father is He anyway?...and for sin you already have "all under control"....What was He thinkin'?....
Here is a Gleaning from Proverbs 16:3
"Humans can be a "peculiar breed" at times. We make our own plans, we have our own unique way of dealing with life, and we think our "orderly way of thinking" is safe, secure, and sufficient on its own.
We have the ability to rationalize, justify, and make our own decisions; all based from the "rich treasures" of life which we have attained from childhood through adult life.
But, wait a minute! God said He didn't give us all these natural abilities and then leave us...to find life out on our own. In fact, He said He is the One who gives us true meaning to our individual lives.
Now people may even see themselves as pure...that is in their own eyes... or from their view of life. But the big question is: "What does God think about all this "purity" we have been able to muster? Oh, He is here?...with us? What's He doing?....He is way down deep...in our hearts...examining all of our motives behind all this "purity".
The "best laid plans of mice or men" as the saying goes finds it true success when a person yields his heart, his actions, and his motives to the One who gives Life its true meaning in each of our lives."
God?...wants to be a part of our daily life?...How?...What was He thinkin'?
God's idea for us...what do you think?...
Note: One more thought, in the song, "Amazing Grace"...in the first stanza,"....that saved a wretch like me"....people don't like to think of themselves like that..." a wretch". Afterall, there are good people out there...they have morals, they don't hurt people, and they are really sweet!
God wouldn't have to send His Son to die for people like that...right?
Well, for myself I think it "boils down" to 2 things in life: 1)a person's motives and 2) a person's morals.
Motive is defined: an emotion, a desire, a certain physical condition in life that causes a person to act or to change a situation...impulsively if the situation demands it.
Virtue is defined: to conduct yourself in an ethical manner, to have principles established in your life that has roots in moral excellence.
Now, here is the thing I have noticed: just because people "talk about Jesus, or go to church quite often, or are preaching the "need of God" in a person's life....doesn't always make them a "good" person.
In fact, I have seen some "pretty messed-up stuff ", like some Christian guy that "talks the talk...big time... but doesn't walk the walk." Honestly, sometimes it is disheartening.
That is why people who do not understand Christianity are appalled for example when a "Christian brother" is "preaching the Gospel" and turns around and "rips ol' ladies of their life savings" or takes advantage of a widow. We have all seen or read of behavior like that along with other evil-concocted ideas and atrocities that happen way too many times in life.
Then there are the "good ol' boys", "honest as the day is long", and keeps everything in life "above board"...yet it is sometimes visible they hurt too...maybe the family relationship thing isn't going too good and the 'good ol' boy" spends his time drinkin' it up at a local bar, killing off "pain" life has dealt him.
Yet, whether it is twisted thoughts like the guy preaching the Gospel only to gain things for his own personal benefit, or the good ol' boy who is treating others with respect... yet parts of his life are a shambles..the question arises: "Hey, what about those matters of the heart?"
For the way I understand it, Christ Jesus and His Death on the Cross was for each one of us, and no one can ever be morally excellent enough to gain an inner peace on their own merit. There may have some of "warm and fuzzy" feel good moments...but our hearts?...they are still twisted.
So, whether our lives exemplify moral excellence or we are simply a "scumbag", hearts that depend on their own "God-given" (I say this sarcastically) abilities, or some rationale that says if we do a certain amount of good toward others...then God is happy with us..are dead wrong.
In fact, the answer to that is: "No..that is not what makes God happy about us." Why?...because if we could do anything on our own to be a "good person"...then why did Jesus suffer at the Cross?...and why did He do it for us...if we could do this ourselves?
Now does God hate us?...No...He hates sin in our life. He loves us...how do I know....because he sent His Own Son to give me a Life...a real Life!
We can't make our hearts pure, we can't have pure motives on everything in life, we really don't have that power...and here is the reason: it's not because of a lack of mental tenacity or a physical capability...it's because of sin...whether we want to hear it or not...we don't have the capability to overcome deep rooted sin...that has found root in each one of us.
For myself, that is "the True Heart of the Gospel"....I can't be a "good guy"...no matter what proud credentials I may think I have....I can't shake deep-rooted sin in my life....but I know Someone who can ....
What really is "sin" you might ask...thinking you may have your life all under control( thank-you)...Really? Well, if that be true then why did God send His Own Son to die..what kind of Father is He anyway?...and for sin you already have "all under control"....What was He thinkin'?....
Here is a Gleaning from Proverbs 16:3
"Humans can be a "peculiar breed" at times. We make our own plans, we have our own unique way of dealing with life, and we think our "orderly way of thinking" is safe, secure, and sufficient on its own.
We have the ability to rationalize, justify, and make our own decisions; all based from the "rich treasures" of life which we have attained from childhood through adult life.
But, wait a minute! God said He didn't give us all these natural abilities and then leave us...to find life out on our own. In fact, He said He is the One who gives us true meaning to our individual lives.
Now people may even see themselves as pure...that is in their own eyes... or from their view of life. But the big question is: "What does God think about all this "purity" we have been able to muster? Oh, He is here?...with us? What's He doing?....He is way down deep...in our hearts...examining all of our motives behind all this "purity".
The "best laid plans of mice or men" as the saying goes finds it true success when a person yields his heart, his actions, and his motives to the One who gives Life its true meaning in each of our lives."
God?...wants to be a part of our daily life?...How?...What was He thinkin'?
God's idea for us...what do you think?...
Note: One more thought, in the song, "Amazing Grace"...in the first stanza,"....that saved a wretch like me"....people don't like to think of themselves like that..." a wretch". Afterall, there are good people out there...they have morals, they don't hurt people, and they are really sweet!
God wouldn't have to send His Son to die for people like that...right?
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