Why doing good is no good and not good

It is the common teaching of so many religions, as well as being the common-sense notion most people have – the way of salvation is by being good. Although this is widely held, sincerely believed and often preached, it’s not biblically based. The Bible stands apart from every other message and says that salvation is not by good works. In fact, the Bible teaches that if you seek salvation by good works you will get neither.

To help you understand what I mean, I will tell you about a conversation I recently had with a very religious man (Alan).

Good news about the bad news

The gospel doesn't cater to our feel-good factor, massage our ego or cater to our pride. It tells us we are guilty, hell-deserving and helpless to do anything about it. This is one reason why the message of the gospel is hated and rejected by so many. But this teaching about our sinfulness is actually good news. Here's why:

Justified on justification

I had a chat last week with a "Jehovah's Witness" called Norman about the subject of justification. There are a couple of things worth reporting.

The fizzing of an astrophysicist

I heard a sad story recently about a young man who has become an atheist "because of science." He is now full of bluster and dripping with scorn about anyone so naive and brainless as to believe in God in this scientific age. This deserves a few comments.

It's all there

I was thinking recently about the purpose John tells us he had in writing his Gospel

Still without a leg to stand on

I wrote last year about a man (Robbie) with whom I had a long and interesting conversation (see here, here and here).  Well, I just spoke to him again today, and sadly he still holds to the same denials of reason and reality, all the while denouncing those who disagree as unintelligent.

A stand off on certainty

You've probably met the person, so dogmatic, they won't consider that they may be wrong, and their certainty can be quite intimidating, and can sway you to think they must be right.  The only problem with that is that you can then meet someone else who believes the complete opposite and find that they are just as convinced.  When you have these opposing views held with equal certainty, how do you know who's right?