WHY?

 

I think this is one question we fail to ask ourselves enough.

 

Why do we pray?

Why do we tithe?

Why read the Bible?

Why obey God?

Etc.

 

Not that I am opposed to any of these activities, quite the opposite, however sometime if we don’t know why we do certain things there is no longer a purposefulness to them and they are simply automatic observances to a pre-established normal mode of behaviour.

 

Sometimes we don’t ask because the answer would show how truly shallow we have become. It may be that our religious observances are simply a thinly veiled mental juggling act in the guise of a mathematical equation!

 

Prayer + Obedience = Blessing

 

Yes this may seem over simplified, almost like 1 + 1 = 2.  To get 2 you must add 1 and 1.

 

However our motivation may perhaps be selfish and almost manipulative.  Do we do things to earn the favour of God, or even worse do we act the way we do simply to make sure we don’t incur His wrath? Have we abdicated our free will and followed an idea that God has a carrot in one hand and a stick in the other?  Perhaps even slipping so far as to believe we have the carrot and God must now ‘Bless’ us because we have behaved correctly?

 

We also do things out of a misplaced sense of expectation.  “You are a Christian therefore you must…..” (You fill in the blank).  Sometimes our behaviour is not based in a respect and appreciation for what the Lord has done for us on Calvary, Jesus taking our place and paying for our sins, but rather because it is what society or our well-meaning brothers and sisters have imposed upon us.

 

We have allowed others to convince us that Jesus saved us, but we have to make sure we are good enough to earn His continued blessing.  Although not always spoken out load there is a subtle thought that when bad things go wrong in our lives it’s because of something we have done wrong.   

There are some who have been bridled with endless observances meant only to control and maintain the status quo.

 Let’s look at the truth a moment.

 

1.     Prayer

·       We must communicate with the Lord.  Not just to let Him know what we need, but out of a deep desire to get to know Him.

·       Your prayers must be relational in nature.  Jesus told us how to pray in Matthew 6.  It starts, not with an endless length of words meant to get God attention, but rather a simple greeting that establishes the relationship we are supposed to have. ‘Our Father…’ (Matthew 6:9)

·       Don’t be in a hurry.  Stay a while.

2.     Tithe

·       Why does God need your money?  Some will say he doesn’t.  Others say it’s not about how much you give, but how much you keep.

·       2 Corinthians 9:6 – 15 gives a clear and understandable perspective on this.

·       Being guilted into giving doesn’t do YOU any good.

3.     Bible Reading

·       Don’t read it because you have to or because it is expected.  Read it because you want to know more about this man Jesus who died for you, and His father who loves you.

·       Read it so that when people ask you, and they will, you can give them an answer you would be happy with. 2 Timothy 2 :15. 

4.     Obedience and Service

·       John 5: 19 tells us that even Jesus only did what he saw the Father doing.  He knew what he was there to do and he did that.  It may not have been what other people wanted, but it was what the Lord wanted.

Find out why you do, or do not, the things mentioned above.  Be purposeful about your service.  Evaluate for yourself.  Stop listening to the next “New Doctrine” or popular idea and find the truth for yourself.  Don’t settle for a second-hand gospel.  Go to the Lord and ask him to show you what he wants you to do.

 

Keep in mind what 1 Corinthians 3: 12 – 14 says about being a wise builder.  If we are simply acting to keep other people from complaining or getting upset with us then all that work is meaningless in the light of eternity.  Only what is done for Christ will remain.  However this must be a purposeful and God honouring pursuit. (Colossians 3:23 – 24).

 

Finally, live relationally with God.  That’s why you were created. Know why you do what you do and do it on purpose.

 ^“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in^[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 3 : 7 – 14)

Shalom

David Mclachlan