[HarleyD]

Yes, only saved Christians can choose to do good in God's eyes. Lost people can choose to do good in our eyes, but not God's.

Works is a very complex issue. However, I believe there is only one work of God, that you believe in Christ who God sent.

Jhn 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Once you believe, Christ works through us to produce the works of God. We really don't do anything ourselves except to trust and be obedient. (And thoses are gifts of God.)

Jhn 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The third criteria for works is that it glorifies God:

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

So putting all this together:

1) The person doing the work believe in Christ,
2) Christ chose to use them to, and
3) the Father was glorify.

Thus I would agree with your analogy in so far as the reason Christians can do what is good in God's eyes is strictly, and only, because of their belief in Christ.

All Christians bear fruit to varying degrees. What isn't obvious is to what extend Christ uses people to "bear much fruit" or what that means. If I help an old lady across the street, I sincerely doubt if people will praise God over it. However, that old lady might be grateful in such a way as God is glorified. It's difficult to tell since God is glorified in many ways.

A non-Christian can be used of God to bring glory to Him such as Judas or Balaam, satisfying point #2 and #3. However, they do not please God simply because they do not believe upon the Son, point #1, and so fail the criteria.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Amen to you both.

"Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." -- Romans 14:23

[D-fendr]

Thanks for your reply. Very well thought out and presented. Some questions:

Isn't all good conscience, the ability to know good, from God?

Doesn't anyone who chooses to do good based on love glorify God?

Are these limited completely to saved Christians?

[Forest Keeper]

Great post, Harley!

If I help an old lady across the street, I sincerely doubt if people will praise God over it. However, that old lady might be grateful in such a way as God is glorified. It's difficult to tell since God is glorified in many ways.

It can be difficult, indeed. One thing that occurred to me is that when I observe others, whom I have reason to believe are Christians, do good, then I think it must be that God is glorified because I am inspired. I figure a similar thing must happen when our lost friends and acquaintances watch us, knowing we are Christian.

Picking up from my last post, one question is what does it mean in terms of God's glory, when a lost person does a deed that would be good if done by a saved person.