It is not a flame, and my question stands, and it derives from personal (not so positive) experiences: why be good?
Being good comes with the territory. If you have sincere faith in Christ, then you will be good. It’s a great 2 for 1 deal. But only the faith is required.
Great question.
Answer: there is more value in being good than in being bad.
You can't be good, no matter how hard you try. Just one bad XXes out all the good, and you can bet there are more than just one. You can only be or not be. Only The God is good (Jesus said). That is the answer, Hamlet.
Out of gratitude of course. The truely regenerate will do good works not because he thinks he has to but because he wants to, out of gratitude and a desire to please the Saviour who rescued him out of sheer grace. Works will always follow regeneration but will never precipitate it.
I like what circlecity says above.
Also, a natural man (unregenerated) may have a remnant of the evidence of God, to Whom this man may feel drawn to give thanks and honor.
The above is just my speculation.