There’s a common idea that if we do good deeds and are a good person, then we’ll get in good with God. That, in the end, all God really cares about is how we treat others — especially the less fortunate.

Only, that’s not what God *actually* said. Sure, God wants us to do those things, but above all, God wants us to be obedient to him by following all of the instructions God has provided us — as much as it is within our control to do so. That’s what God actually said repeatedly.

Within those instructions are those that instruct us to help the less fortunate, but to do that and not do the others puts us at odds with God.

• If you don’t know what God has instructed, then you’ve placed many things ahead of a desire to do what is pleasing to God.
• If you allow someone to convince you that God’s instructions no longer apply, then you put that person ahead of God.
• How can we know what it means to be a good person if “good” is not defined by God?

Either way, you’re proving that God is not most important to you. °