Is it Valid to say I do good works, not because I wont too, but beacuse I love God?

JD27076 · #1 Jul 4, '12, 10:06 pm

This came up to me.

Is it OK to say that I do not do good works because I wont to, but rather because I Love God.

I'm not sure if it would be, but tell me if I'm wrong when I say it.

Turtle Turtle · #2 Jul 4, '12, 11:38 pm

Actually one does good works, as they do anything, only by cooperating with the grace of God. Without God's grace one cannot do anything.

One can want to do a good work say die a martyr's death, but if one is not given that grace by God, then one cannot fulfill this desire, noble though it be. This desire could be out of a ardent love of God, but if the grace is not there, it will not be done.

**JRKH** · #3 Jul 5, '12, 5:08 am

I see nothing wrong with the statement since it indicates a denial of the "self" in favor of God.

Peace
James

fred conty · #4 Jul 6, '12, 8:55 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD27076

This came up to me.

Is it OK to say that I do not do good works because I wont to, but rather because I Love God.

I'm not sure if it would be, but tell me if I'm wrong when I say it.

Jesus told the parable of a man who owned a venyard that had two sons. He asked them both to come early in the morning to help him with it. One son said ok. The other said no.
But when morning came the son that said ok didn't show, while the other who said no did show. Jesus then asked the question, "who was the real son?" And of course the answer was obvious, the one that didn't want to do it but showed up anyway because he cared for his father.

Sound familiar?

Just a thought.

HelenRose · #5 Jul 6, '12, 9:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD27076

This came up to me.

Is it OK to say that I do not do good works because I wont to, but rather because I Love God.

I'm not sure if it would be, but tell me if I'm wrong when I say it.

I rasied children. There were times that I did not want to get up and feed them, clothe them and change their diapers. Because I loved them, I did all those things.

Do you actually think that Mother Teresa wanted to get up each morning and face the streets of Calcuta. But she did get up and she did face those street because she loved God.

mytruepower2 · #6 Jul 7, '12, 2:16 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD27076

This came up to me.

Is it OK to say that I do not do good works because I wont to, but rather because I Love God.

I'm not sure if it would be, but tell me if I'm wrong when I say it.

Depends whether you're bragging or not. "Saying" you do good works can be dangerous if it comes across as boasting, and of course, all good works ultimately come from God.

That having been said, love of God is the best possible reason for doing good works.