Posted on 04/22/2007 7:20:02 AM PDT by Rhadaghast
I need to desrcibe succinctly several different philosopies of the nature of man. I will also need to support this with citations.
I believe that man is inheirently selfish, prone to promote self above all else. His natural bent will be self gratification devolving into ever lower levels of depravity. Without the tempering influence of the Holy Spirit, or the presence of the conscience there is no hope that man will attempt to do good. The good that he does attempt without these influences or after 'quenching the spirit' or 'searing the conscience' all his efforts result from the basic drive of self gratification; either avoiding pain or persuing pleasure. Even when that action appears to be altruistic it is simply amilerating a sense of guilt or obligation.
Therefore many may choose God simply out of fear of damnation or hope of eternal reward rather than the desire to please God.
Please feel free to present other ideas of man, but be brief.
Thanks.
Interesting topic. Will ping the list later.
But after approaching God with ulterior selfish motives, a person ideally will become less selfish and ultimately develop a loving relationship entirely free of any taint of self interest. This is the goal, and it is possible. Not only possible, it is the only real happiness of the soul (the real self).
Selfishness, fear?
Speak for yourself.
I figure God knows something I don’t. So, in my life, I try to get as near to Right as I can by my God.
“Projection” look it up in Psy. handbook.
I agree...People call on the Lord due to many reasons...I didn't asked Jesus to save me because I wanted to please Him...I called on Him because I needed some rest from my desperation...And He was my last choice...
Now once you're saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, it's a different ball game...
I'm sure many people have different stories to tell on how and why they allowed Jesus to rescue them from any number of circumstances...
While everyone is flawed with sin, and interested in self-promotion, I do believe that there are actually many very good Christians who love God and particularly the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, so much that their good works and holy life style is purely for the love of Him. Also, there is in the heart of a true believer the personal relationship with Jesus, which is not to hurt or cause pain to a beloved one. So, in that respect, I think the above writing has flaws.
What motivation could a rational being have other than to receive a reward or to avoid punishment?
Some might say that we should choose God only to please him, without expectation of reward. However, it would make no sense to please God if the result were eternal punishment.
Of course, a just and righteous God would not punish those who choose to please him. And in fact, the Bible is replete with promises of reward to the faithful (Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 5:12; Revelation 22:12; etc.). Jesus promises that those who give up worldly things for him will receive much more in return, including everlasting life:
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. (Matt. 19:29)All things are promised to those who overcome the world:
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Rev. 21:7)I believe that these promises are included in the scriptures because God wants us to seek his rewards. Indeed, Jesus commands us to do so:
19 ¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19–21)
Agree with what you have written 100%.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.