Articles
Are All Good, Moral People Christians?
Are All Good, Moral People Christians?
By Mike Johnson
George is a good, moral man. He is faithful to his wife and a good father to his children. He does not use profanity or drink alcohol. He coaches little league baseball and is even considered to be a pillar in the community. George, however, is not religious; he has never even become a child of God. Yet, many people would describe him as a Christian. When George dies, as people think about his good traits, they might make the observation that he was a very fine Christian man, equating his morality with being a Christian. It is important to understand that a person is not a Christian simply because he is a good, moral man, and that one is not saved by simply having good morals.
Consider Cornelius, a Gentile and a Roman soldier who lived in Caesarea and who was a very good, moral man. Acts 10:2 describes Cornelius as "A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always." Verse 22 describes him as "…a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews…" Peter, after receiving a vision from God, went and preached to Cornelius and his family. After Peter preached to them, he commanded Cornelius to be baptized (v. 48). Cornelius and his family are known as the first Gentile converts.
It is important to understand that Cornelius was a good, moral man before Peter ever preached to him. Was Cornelius saved simply because he was such a good, moral man? Did his moral excellence make him a Christian? The answer is "No." When Peter returned to Jerusalem, the brethren confronted Peter for having brought the gospel to the Gentiles which prompted Peter to defend himself. Peter explained why he had taken the gospel to the Gentiles. He said that an angel told Cornelius to send to Joppa for him. The reason for Peter's going there is stated in Acts 11:14: "Who [Peter] will tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy houses will be saved." Thus, Cornelius, a good, moral man, was unsaved prior to Peter's going and preaching to him, and, as can be logically deduced, was unsaved prior to submitting to God's commandments to become a Christian. If moral excellence could save a person, surely Cornelius would have been saved. However, Acts 11:14 makes it clear that he was not.
Christians must be good, moral people. 1Thessalonians 5:22 says, "abstain from every form of evil" (ASV). However, a person is not a Christian simply because he is a good, moral person. There are some specific requirements found in the Bible that a person must obey to become a child of God (John 3:16; Heb. 11:6; Acts 17:30-31; Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:10; Mark 16:16). How about you? Are you a good, moral person? If so, you are to be commended. But, it is important to understand that morality alone does not save a person.
Family Progress Chart
Below are some helpful goals and building blocks for improving family life. Make it a family project to go over these things together on a monthly basis. Evaluate your progress. The home is the closest of relationships. The home is the laboratory of life, the nursery of Christian virtues, and the proving ground for eternity. If our Christianity doesn't work at home, it doesn't work at all!
1. We strive to put God first and have a Christ-centered home.
2. We sincerely work at being true examples of Christians.
3. We have family devotions together and discuss the things of God regularly.
4. We pray together daily as well as in private.
5. We study the Bible daily.
6. We show respect and courtesy to other family members in the way we talk to and interact with each other.
7. We have done at least one act of kindness for someone this week.
8. We do more than is required of us in pitching in to help around the home.
9. We go the "extra mile" in being patient, forbearing and understanding with each other during the day.
10. We seek to do a good job in whatever we do.
11. We gladly forgive others who wrong us.
12. We readily repent and ask forgiveness if we've wronged someone else.
13. We refrain from bickering and quarreling with each other.
14. We share with each other and are not selfish.
15. We are honest in our words as well as in our actions.
16. We have a cheerful and cooperative attitude.
17. We work and play together as a family.
18. We are prompt to repay our debts.
19. We look for opportunities to share the Gospel with others.
20. We invite others to attend church services with us.
21. We prepare for and observe the Lord's Day, as well as other times of assembling with the saints.
22. We strive to put God's business first and avoid scheduling conflicts.
23. We enjoy times of public worship and strive to be respectful of God and encouraging to others.
24. We express love for one another in words such as: "Thank you," "Please," etc. as well as in deeds.
25. We try to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. (Author Unknown)
Our Real and Continuing Loss
By Ronald Reagan
“These children… will never laugh, never sing, never experience the joy of human love; nor will they strive to heal the sick, or feed the poor, or make peace among nations. Abortion has denied them the first and most basic of human rights, and we are infinitely poorer for their loss. We are poorer not simply for the lives not led and for contributions not made, but also for erosion of our sense of worth and dignity of every individual. To diminish the value of one category of human life is to diminish us all.”
A Moments Wisdom on Faults
--The greatest of faults is to be conscious of none.
--When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.
--If we had no faults of our own, we would not take so much pleasure in noticing those of others.
--Quarrels would not last so long if the fault were only on one side.
--None of us can stand other people having the same faults as our own.
--Our worst misfortunes never happen, and most miseries lie in anticipation.
--He who would be a mover of the world must not be moved by the world.
Upcoming Sermons
2/4/24 AM - “I Will Sing Praises Unto the Lord”; PM - Themed Singing Service: “All Nature Sings”
2/11/23 AM - What is the World?; PM - Weights and the World
2/18/24 AM - Everyone Wants to Go to Heaven; PM - “I’m Bored”
2/25/24 AM - What Does It Mean to Be Spiritually Strong?; PM - Unwittingly Entertaining Angels
