Religion
In reply to the discussion: There aint no god, if there is may she strike this thread DEAD [View all]jonno99
(2,620 posts)intelligence, I'll simply point out that one of the foundational tenets of Christianity is that no one is moral, no one is righteous - only God.
To drive home this point, scripture goes even further to say that good works performed in an effort to "be moral" (or righteous) are like "filthy rags" when presented to God (e.g. "look at me I'm a good person!"
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So there is a rift - an uncrossable chasm. Man cannot "work" his way to God's approval or presence. And worse, according to scripture, our sin requires the penalty of death. Pretty grim for mankind.
God's solution: his son will come to earth, and present himself as a substitute - he will pay the death penalty for the sins of mankind. And to prove his worth - his mastery over death, he overcomes death, and is raised back to life.
Ok, how can this possibly help the problem of our supposed lack of morality? Answer: by accepting this offered gift - in faith - that Christ's sacrifice is sufficient to pay the death penalty that was due us. And through this faith we acknowledge that it is not our good works - not our morality that mends the rift between us & God, but rather it is Christ's morality in which we put our faith and hope.
So everything is fixed? What is the problem then? Answer: PRIDE. Very few people like the idea that their goodness, their efforts to be moral don't mean squat - when compared to Christ. It takes humility to accept this truth.
So you accept this "gift" - why do any good things at all if it doesn't make us "moral" in God's eyes. Simple answer: we have been forgiven a huge debt, and in gratitude we should live a life worthy of that forgiveness.
Christ explains this attitude here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18:21-35&version=CEV