Reconciling Good Deeds … (09/07/09)
“Good deeds are the manifestation of a healthy spiritual life. Right Actions are those which seek to lessen another’s suffering &/or enhance another’s joy — without thought for any personal recompense as a result.” ~ unknown
“Heaven is not attained without good deeds.”
~ Adi Granth, Ramkali-Var, M.1 (Sikhism)
“Many garlands can be made from a heap of flowers. Many good deeds should be done by one born a mortal.”
~ Buddha, Dhammapada 53 (Buddhism)
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
~ Ephesians 2:10 (Christianity – also James 1:25, 1 peter 4:8, Luke 19:2-9)
“No one who does good deeds will ever come to a bad end, either here or in the world to come. When such people die, they go to other realms where the righteous live.”
~ Bhagavad Gita 6:40-41 (Hinduism)
“Be mindful of your duty [to God], and do good works; and again, be mindful of your duty, and believe; and once again: be mindful of your duty, and do right. God loves the doers of good.”
~ Qur’an 5:93 (Islam – also Qur’an 11:114, Qur’an 25:71 & Qur’an 99)
“Love covers a multitude of sins.”
~ 1 Peter 4:8 (Christianity)
“Whoever, by a good deed, covers the evil done, such a one illumines this world like the moon freed from clouds.”
~ Buddha, Dhammapada 173 (Buddhism)
“I call heaven and earth to witness: whether Jew or Gentile, whether man or woman, whether servant or freeman, they are all equal in this: that the Holy Spirit rests upon them in accordance with their deeds!”
~ Midrash, Seder Eliyyahu Rabbah 10 (Judaism)
“Anything evil refrain from doing; all good deeds do! So will you be released forever from the influence of evil stars, and always be encompassed by good guardian angels.”
~ Tract of the Quiet Way (Taoism)
“He who carries out one good deed acquires for himself one advocate in his own behalf, and he who commits one transgression acquires one accuser against himself. Repentance and good works are like a shield against calamity.”
~ Mishnah, Abot 4:13 (Judaism)
“Realization of Truth is higher than all else; Higher still is virtuous living.”
~ Adi Granth, Sri Ashtpadi M.1 (Sikhism)
“But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe–and shudder … You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone…. For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.”
~ James 2:18-26 (Christianity)
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