this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2023
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Explain Like I'm Five

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ELI5: If you're a Christian, why do you have to be good if Jesus will forgive you no matter what? (self.explainlikeimfive)
submitted 1 year ago by minorninth to c/explainlikeimfive
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I grew up going to church but I'm not religious now and I never really understood this part.

Please, no answers along the lines of "aha, that's why Christianity is a sham" or "religions aren't logical". I don't want to debate whether it's right or wrong, I just want to understand the logic and reasoning that Christians use to explain this.

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[–] Zarxrax 4 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Basically just the bible says you are supposed to be good, and Jesus says you are supposed to be good. It is kind of a big loophole though, if you really aren't interested in being good.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

This seems to be the stance evangelicals I've known take.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Bible doesn't say you are supposed to be good. I have no idea where you got that notion from.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 7:12. Luke 6:31 and there are more.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Do you think I can find a phrase that tells me to commit acts that I consider to be evil?

Like maybe telling me to kill homosexuals for example?

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Psalm 34:14: "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." (NIV)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Do you think I can find a phrase that tells me to commit acts that I consider to be evil?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Probably, especially in the Old Testament. They had very different ideas of morality back then.

[–] Willer 1 points 1 year ago

you wont lose salvation from beeing an asshole thats true. but god sets the bar wayyyy higher anyway. so be glad it exists instead of pointing to other people getting salvation even tho from your own judgement they were bad people.