Friday, December 04, 2009
Can you be good without a belief in God? Of course. Atheists can do good things based on what culture says is good. Compared to what others do I can do good things and look good. We usually compare our goodness with someone elses badness and that makes us look better, right? Goodness is not exclusive to Christianity. No religion has a monopoly on goodness.
But here's the thing the AHA is missing and maybe a lot of other people: Good people don't go to heaven. Forgiven people go to heaven. People who have had their sins washed away go to heaven. And isn't that exactly what Jesus, the Messiah, came to do? The angel told Joseph, "She (Mary) will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). In Mary's song (The Magnificat) she says, "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46). What great messages, Jesus will save us from our sins; God is our Savior.
Christmas is not just about being good; it's about being forgiven by God's indescribable gift, Jesus Christ.
Christmas is not just about being good; it's about being forgiven by God's indescribable gift, Jesus Christ.
Be good for goodness sake? No. I'm good because God is gracious. I'm good with God through His Son Jesus, are you?
Being good with God makes me good for God's sake; all through the year!
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Tim
PS - thanks Ginny for sending the article.
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