Is it good to obey God if you only want a reward in the end?

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   Rodric29posted 11 years ago

   Is it good to obey God if you only want a reward in the end?
   
   People may believe the gospel only because of the promised reward at the end. Is that enough to be qualified as good?

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   christiananrkistposted 11 years ago

   sounds a little like Judas. he followed Jesus and did many good things in the process, but his motives were all wrong. he loved what was on the masters table as opposed to loving the master as i have heard one person say. in the end he was easily tempted by a little money. Many religions do teach a salvation by works kind of deal. this is one thing that i believe separates christianity. I do think peoples motives matter. the question for me has always been , do I want a relationship with God or not?
   
   Ephesians 2:8-9
   For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God NOT BY WORKS, so that no one can boast.

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3. 58

   taburkettposted 11 years ago

   Shall I walk a path of righteousness for his name's sake? Or shall I follow the path of the demon? A gift is not a prize, but love and righteousness. So sayeth the Lord.
   
   1 Timothy 4 4 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some people will turn away from the faith. They will pay attention to spirits that deceive and to the teaching of demons. 2 They will be controlled by the pretense of lying, and their own consciences will be seared. 3 They will prohibit marriage and eating foods that God created—and he intended them to be accepted with thanksgiving by those who are faithful and have come to know the truth. 4 Everything that has been created by God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected. 5 These things are made holy by God’s word and prayer. 6 If you point these things out to the believers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus who has been trained by the words of faith and the good teaching that you’ve carefully followed. 7 But stay away from the godless myths that are passed down from the older women.
   Train yourself for a holy life! 8 While physical training has some value, training in holy living is useful for everything. It has promise for this life now and the life to come. 9 This saying is reliable and deserves complete acceptance. 10 We work and struggle for this: “Our hope is set on the living God, who is the savior of all people, especially those who believe.” 11 Command these things. Teach them. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Instead, set an example for the believers through your speech, behavior, love, faith, and by being sexually pure. 13 Until I arrive, pay attention to public reading, preaching, and teaching. 14 Don’t neglect the spiritual gift in you that was given through prophecy when the elders laid hands on you. 15 Practice these things, and live by them so that your progress will be visible to all. 16 Focus on working on your own development and on what you teach. If you do this, you will save yourself and those who hear you.
   1 Timothy 6 3 If anyone teaches anything different and doesn’t agree with sound teaching about our Lord Jesus Christ and teaching that is consistent with godliness, 4 that person is conceited. They don’t understand anything but have a sick obsession with arguments. This creates jealousy, conflict, verbal abuse, and evil suspicions. 5 There is constant bickering between people whose minds are ruined and who have been robbed of the truth.

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   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   No. Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God the father should not be dependent on what we will receive in the afterlife. It should be a wonderful, loving journey in our lives.
   
   No one can say "Hey, I think I will be saved so I can go to Heaven." No. You must be called by the Holy spirit. You will know when the Holy spirit is convicting you to come to the lord. This is when you are saved if you confess your sins with your mouth and accept Jesus Christ into your heart.
   
   Then you will become a new person. You will strive to do God's will in your life. Will you be perfect? Of course not. But, you are saved to eternity.

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   1. 76

      Rodric29posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I love your called by the Holy Spirit explanations. It is the right of Every Disciple of Christ to know if his or her life is worthy of His Sacrifice and joint heir-ship. We will inherit all He has and know it before death by the Spirit of God.

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      JThomp42posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Amen my friend!

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5. 74

   CraftytotheCoreposted 11 years ago

   If that's true, to obey God to simply gain reward, then what would be the point if the outcome was none at all?
   
   In other words, if someone plays the lottery simply for attempting to win it, chances are they never will.
   
   True belief is faith.

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6. 39

   Borsiaposted 11 years ago

   Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
   Its the only rule that matters.
   Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
   Follow this and you will be a good person for the right reasons.

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7. 80

   Steel Engineerposted 11 years ago

   Obeying God is a good thing. If you do it because you understand that you will receive the joy of a close relationship with God, prevent the devil's action against you by not allowing him in, and living a good, good life... then that is wisdom.
   
   If you think obeying God is like a way to manipulate Him into giving you something... then the key aspect - LOVE - has been missed, and the obedience is for the wrong reasons. Such a person should not expect to receive anything.

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8. 86

   cmoneyspinner1tfposted 11 years ago

   Obey?  Meaning someone has given you an order, instruction or command?  Has God ever told you to do something that was bad?
   
   Only if you want the reward in the end?  That's a good reason!  A real good reason considering the reward is eternal.
   
   Some people work at job ONLY for the paycheck.  Who doubts their sincerity?

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   1. 76

      Rodric29posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Only sincere because there is something for them in the end? I don't understand.

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   2. 86

      cmoneyspinner1tfposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      OK.  When you get to heaven.  Let me know if you understand then.  I aim to be there too. I know it's a big place but come and find me!!  Jesus will probably be busy with a lot of other folks. So I'll be hanging out with Moses and Elijah'!  Alright?

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9. 74

   lone77starposted 11 years ago

   Wow! Rodric, this is a beautiful question. This hits the nail right smack square in the middle.
   
   Ego!
   
   Ego is selfishness and separateness. As separateness, it stands in opposition of love. Wanting something for ourselves makes our separate selves important. This is pure ego and counter to our purpose of love.
   
   This seems to be an impossible problem to solve, but it really is quite simple. Stop putting your attention on the "self" and what you want or need. God will take care of everything you need. Christ's sacrifice handles the "bridge" to salvation. All you need to do is give, give, give -- love, love, love.
   
   Now, if only I can remember this. It's getting easier, thanks to questions like yours. Thanks!

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   1. 76

      Rodric29posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      How do you know when you have taken the "self" part out? I don't believe in Hell-everlasting Fire, which makes it easier to decide to serve God out of love rather than fear. Hell is temporary and I still ger a reward, Why else to obey than love then?

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