Can a non-Christian truly do good in the sight of God? Why or why not?

RickJ

Absolutely. The story of the good Samaritan is a perfect example of how "non-believers" can also do good.

Allheart

People do good deeds and have kind hearts and do not identify themselves with any religion.

Because one is a beleiver of God, does not make them better or more deserving of good.

We all should be doing our best to walk along the right path - because it is right - not for a reward.

But I have heard many a preacher speaking about the reward of Heaven, so I do understand your question.

I think those of us who do beleive have to be so careful in not thinking we are better or superior and damn those who don't beleive. ( by the way, that is just a general statement, I do not see that you are doing that).

We all struggle through this thing called life and all of us our human and as a result, imperfect. There is no such thing as less imperfect.

GE1223

The bible does say that "all of our rightousness is as filthy rags " and "ther is a way which seemth right unto a man but the end thereof is the way of death" WHY? Because "through the disobedience of one man( Adam) many were made sinners." So yes we can do good in our own eyes or our fellow man but God is a Rightous God and those that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. The only way for that is through the lord JesusChrist. Jesus said "I am the truth and the life no man commeth unto the father but by me"

Allheart

I understand what you are saying GE - I do.

But if I understand the OP's question, I think in there somewhere he asked if a non-Christian does good, does God see it as good?

If that is the question, and if a non-beleiver gave shelter to the homeless, food to the hungry, or clothes to the naked and love to those around him or her, of course, I beleive Our Heavenly Father smiles and indeed sees the non-believer as doing good.

SkyGem

Of course they can -- they always have the power to become Born Again Christians!

If you are looking for an answer to get around becoming a Christian, you will not find it in Scripture as it relates to your being Saved, and what good is anything else -- as we are here on Earth for only a very short period of time. However, the overriding question should be whether or not the non-Christian is doing the will of God by remaining a non-Christian therefore, un-Saved. Remember, God wishes to Save every person! The answer to that is also found in the following Scripture: "He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the ONLY begotten Son of God." -- JOHN 3:18 (KJV)

Also, this next Scripture is germane to this subject matter. "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be Born Again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." -- JOHN 3:3 (KJV)

Therefore, it is plain to see and understand that a non-Christian cannot be saved and although he/she can certainly do good deeds whenever he or she wants, while that is always helpful to others (if the intent is to do good and not for self-aggrandizement) spiritually speaking, what good is it in the sight of God if you are not a Christian, if you don't actually believe in the One and Only God because that's what truly matters! That is akin to bringing a teacher an apple each and every day for the full semester of studies in the hope that the teacher will pass you to a higher grade. That will never happen with a strictly moral teacher. They may surely be appreciative of the kind act in giving them things, but that does not automatically translate into special favors later on.

No matter what kind of good an un-believer does, it certainly will not help them to elevate into Heaven at their appointed time according to Scripture. It takes more! But what is the problem with not believing in the ONLY Son of God, Jesus, and why be so stubborn? Does it boil down to being your "personal preference"? But if it means that you will be Saved if you give your life to Him (which it of course does, when one becomes Born Again) then why refrain from doing so? Certainly, one has free will, but that free will also means that they can Accept Jesus and thereby become Saved. Perhaps it does not mean much to the un-believer at the present time while they are on Earth in a corporeal body, but later on when they have left this Earth, it will mean Plenty, as the decisions one makes here on Earth, be they good or bad, will carry over into the Afterlife, and that is for eternity!

For further reading, there is an excellent website (short-reading) at:
Are you a Non-Christian?

De Maria

A believer? Yes.

Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Hebrews 11: 6 But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him.

There are many non-Christians who have faith in God.

Can someone who does not believe in God do good in His sight? Only if he is seeking God while doing so.

Does this seem unfair? I would say, "no." It seems eminently fair. If someone doesn't believe in God, but lives only for himself, what does it matter to him if he pleases God or not?

Of course it doesn't. There are many here who don't care one iota about God. So, why do they want to do good in the sight of the being in which they don't believe and why do they want to go to heaven and eternity with the being which they claim does not exist?

So, in order to do good in the sight of God, one must first believe in God.

lobrobster

Serious question:

Doesn't it bother you being told you were born a worthless piece of wretched filth unless you do as 'they' say?

I drop in on this forum now and then to try and comprehend how the religious mind works. No offense, but I still can't make sense of it. But I'm trying.

lobrobster

I'll bet if a fireman saved a loved one from a burning building you'd consider it a miracle. But what if you learned that fireman was an atheist? All of a sudden he didn't do good by God, huh?

Allheart

I've always wondered why "Christians" (those who have Christ in their heart) throw bible versus at those who do not beleive, damn them to hell, and expect them to beleive in our Loving God.

I beleive in our Heavenly Father with all my heart and of course want others to know His love as well. I think our Father would want us to be loving followers and it would be through our loving actions that non-believers would open their hearts to Jesus.

When "Christians" yell, scream and damn others to hell....it doesn't resemble God's love and I wonder how much of Christ is actually in their hearts. I am saying I wonder, I am not saying they do not have Christ in their heart, but in truth, those that scream and rant, are those that I find it most difficult to see His Love in them.

God's word can be heard far greater by loving actions. It hurts my heart when those who claim to love Our Father, say hurtful things to those who are yet to believe.

The Prayer of St. Francis is one of my very favorites and I love to share it with you.


Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

excon

Hello K:

Who cares what your god thinks? I ain't interested. He already thinks I'm a sinner. He thinks I'm going to hell if I don't bow down to him. And, all I did was get born.

Nope. I'm trying to do good in the sight of ME.

excon