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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[–] FriendlyCraig 1 points 1 year ago

How odd, that one should be good not for the sake of goodness, but out of fear of damnation.

Jesus is an example of an ideal person. Being literally divine Jesus is capable of setting a perfect example of love, forgiveness, and compassion. We humans are not. We have flaws, but should still strive to be good people, just as Jesus was a good human.

If you are "being good" or "not being bad" for selfish reasons, you aren't acting out of love or goodness. Heaven, hell, reward, punishment, these shouldn't matter when it comes to virtue or vice.