Can we perform the good works of God; without God?

Can we perform the good works of God; without God?

So many atheists who believe there is no God may continue in their chosen field of work feeling that they are the recipients of their own labor.  Finding sacred scripture that will counter their beliefs will do nothing for their disbeliefs in God since they would not dare to pick up a bible or any documentation in sync with sacred scripture.  

However, just in case one of them would listen to a person they trust, let’s look at some of the written testimony that speaks about this issue.  From CS Lewis: “I would gladly believe, Lewis wrote, that many atheists and agnostics care for the things I care for.  And undoubtedly they do,”  He continues; Prayer is not a machine.  It is not magic.  It is not advice offered to God.  Our act, when we pray, must not, any more than all our other acts, be separated from the continuous act of God Himself, in which alone all finite causes operate.”  Another point Lewis says, regarding prayer; “the proof of answered prayer is based, not on any kind of experimentation, but on what we know is true of the kind of interaction we have in our personal relationships.  There is a frontier between us where wills and wishes intermingle - causality can be confirmed or fade from consideration there.”  

“Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build.  Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch.”  Blessed are they whose quivers are full.  They will never be shamed contending with foes at the gate.”  (Ps 127: 1 - 2, 5).  This is the need of God’s Blessing.

“He has made everything appropriate to its time, and has put the timeless into their hearts, without men’s ever discovering, from beginning to end, the work God has done.”  (Eccl 3: 11).

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective.  Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me.”  (1 Cor 15: 11).

Although those who work by themselves, that is believing their successes are theirs alone, will surely reach out to God when like men in a foxhole as military shells are coming near and understand the ultimate results they rely upon is an entity they once refused to accept;  now they have a choice  that will be their salvation.

The ultimate failure is when persons who tirelessly toil at their chosen activity and say they do not need God and are doing what is right and holy.  Why should I believe in God?  The problem that has existed for centuries is the same attitude and like the people of Noah’s time they refused to believe until the flood came.  It was too late.  How will these current atheists react when the reality of God confronts them?  When one continues on their way ignoring God and our Church, they will certainly push Him out of their lives and may not know how to get back.  

Ralph B. Hathaway