Do Christians act to avoid divine punishment?

Of course we do------just as you would act good in for your teacher, your boss, your parent-------------------it is indeed a part of our human nature. But, a lot of we Christians also (some of us even completely) act good because we love God so deeply and want to show Him this by acting good and doing good (which indeed brings Him great pleasure). Jesus even made it easier for us to please Him this way by saying that whatever we do to the least of our brothers and sisters on this earth, we do to Him. It can often be way easier for a Christian to do good to others because of what I just said and also for the fact that Jesus said to do things for His sake (Christ's sake)-----so, while many a person will come to times where they find it difficult to practice the Golden Rule----for many a Christian it becomes wayyyyyy easier as we remember all that Christ did and forgave (particularly through His excrutiating Passion, Crucifixion and Death) and what He indeed asked of us (to also be forgiving, loving, merciful and charitable). Add to this the fact that God is always there to help us in everything------it becomes pretty evident that for those that know, believe and try to follow Christ, our different types of burdens do indeed become lighter (if not taken away all together) just as Jesus said, taught and practiced.

I notice how the highly subjective "We often hear stories ..." in your first sentence becomes, without supporting evidence, "But a majority of Christians...." a few sentences later.

Just wanted to point that out. Still fighting a lonely, thankless war against unsubstantiated rhetoric....

If you act to avoid punishment, you've missed the point of Christianity, which is to allow God to improve one's moral character. There is no place at all for selfishness in our faith.

christians believe that if they are good little girls and boys they wont go through purgatory or hell and suffer. christianity is a great tool for making people that are naturally immoral into pretend good people

by fear or punishment, so are they really good people or not?

"We often hear stories of prison inmates who turn to Christ because they hear of the horrible things that could await them in Hell."

Your premise is unfounded. It is God's grace that causes the sinner to repent, not some boogeyman.

of course. this crap that we are doing is all an act, just not to go to "hell". we all deserve an emmy and and an Oscar. even a grammy for our bad christian songs.

Nobodycares.jpg

Do Hypocrites Act...

Yeah pretty much