I

Possessing good behaviors is not the same as practicing the truth, and if a person behaves well it does not mean that they have the approval of God. Good behaviors and practicing the truth are two different things—they have no bearing on each other. Practicing the truth is God's requirement and it's entirely in line with His intentions; good behavior comes from the will of man and carries man's intents and motives with it—it is something that man regards as good. Good behaviors are not evil deeds, but they contravene the truth principles and have nothing to do with the truth. No matter how good these behaviors are, or how much they accord with man's notions and imaginings, they have no relation to the truth.

II

No amount of good behaviors can attain the approval of God. They are merely a sort of behavior, and have nothing to do with people's dispositional change, their submission to and acceptance of the truth, the fear of God and shunning of evil, or other practical elements that truly involve the truth. These behaviors stem only from people's notions, their preferences, their volition, and their own self-motivated efforts. They are not manifestations of the repentance that come with gaining true self-knowledge by accepting the truth and the judgment and chastisement of the words of God, nor are they the behaviors or actions of practicing the truth that arise when people try to submit to God.

III

Good behaviors don't in any way involve a change in a person's disposition or what comes of undergoing the judgment and chastisement of God's words, nor do they in any way involve the true repentance that arises from coming to understand one's corrupt disposition. They certainly do not relate to man's true submission to God and the truth; still less do they relate to having a heart of fear and love for God. Good behaviors have nothing at all to do with these things; they are merely something that comes from man and something that man regards as good.

IV

Many people see good behaviors as a sign that someone is practicing the truth. This is a grave mistake, an absurd view and understanding. These good behaviors are just a performance of religious ceremony, and going through the motions. They are not at all related to practicing the truth. God may not condemn them outright, but He does not approve of them at all; that is certain. These outward actions that accord with man's notions and these good behaviors are not the practice of the truth, nor are they a manifestation of the pursuit of the truth.

from The Word, Vol. 6. On the Pursuit of the Truth I. What It Means to Pursue the Truth (1)