For lack of a better word, my last post sort of struck a nerve. 🙂 Most of you were and are against the whole idea of religion. Using Jesus’ words in Matthew 15: 1-9, I could substitute the word “tradition” for religion. I do allow for various views and opinions and one expressed (using a quote by someone else) a dislike for my use of religion. I answered him with my thoughts and he was gracious enough to respond back. That is what my blog is for- the give and take of ideas. In keeping with the idea of religion, I’d like to give you a quote from the book Gospel by J.D. Greear.
Satan’s primary temptation strategy is to try and make us forget what God has said about us and to evaluate our standing before God by some other criteria. (p.50)
Think about how this works. If we lose sight of two simple maxims, we can become fodder for the enemy’s target practice.
Maxim #1: “I obey; therefore, I am accepted by God.”
Now consider this one:
Maxim #2: “I am accepted by God through Christ; therefore, I obey.”
See the difference? I explained it Sunday like this: Suppose you take the things you do-go to church, study the Bible, pray, tithe, etc- while being governed by Maxim #1 and lose sight of Maxim #2. Where does that leave you? You do those things (church, etc) because you “gotta or have to” instead of “I want to.” The motive is different. But something even deeper: the joy is different. In fact, there is no joy in Maxim #1. The person living by it has one goal and one goal only: do those things so that in the end God might accept me. The rub comes in because we never know if we have done enough to be accepted. That is where the enemy (Satan) has us!! We begin to judge ourselves by the criteria of “have I done enough?” How frustrating is that?
To quote J.D. from his book:
True worship is obedience to God for no other reason that that you delight in God. There is a fundamental difference in serving God to get something from Him and serving Him to get more of Him. (p.32)
When I was growing up, it was a lot more fun doing something because I wanted to, than if forced to. Honestly, things haven’t changed all that much. 🙂 I still get more joy out of doing something because I want to. That includes serving God.
Any thoughts you care to share? Do you battle with the “have to” vs the “want to?” How have you solved it?
I just finished my reading of Gospel this afternoon. Not a bad effort. As I have gotten older and been sprinkled with a bit of experience, I have come to a place where I struggle doing things that I don’t want to do. Maybe I am getting set in my ways. This can be good and bad as you can imagine.
I read Gospel because i saw Rob (your pastor for the uninitiated) say he has already read it twice. I thought it must be worth reading. It was. That streak of “I don’t want to do this” does get wider as I get older also. 🙂
“All our righteous deeds are as filthy rags.”
I have never met a pure motive yet.
What we do or don’t do, has no effect on the gospel.
For if it did, we would ALL be toast.
Yes…we are free. Free to love the neighbor. But because we are all so self-focused and primarily concerned that way…we will be very mixed bags in the “good works” department. But that isn’t the point, is it? But that we, the ungodly, are loved and forgiven by a righteous and merciful God, in our Savior Christ Jesus.
Thanks, Bill.
Exactly, Steve: “but that we, the ungodly,…Jesus.” That’s the point. To be saved by works we will always be wondering “How much is enough?” Thanks.
I pretty much got over the have to some time ago. That’s a problem when you go to a church of have to’s. you might run afoul of a few folks.
So true, Larry. So very true.
I’ll put my stamp of approval on his and your comment Susan.
I’m definitely in the second category. Personally, I believe that no matter what we do, as long as we are walking with Christ, we are doing what He wants. That is how I try to live.
Nothing wrong with that philosophy as long as it does not go against the Bible (which if you are walking with Christ it shouldn’t).
I have to say, after having heard the defense of this concept for my entire life, you’ve summed it up quite well, better in a short amount of space than others that spent a life time trying. It is human nature, the way we were designed, the triggers of free will. Excellent job, Bill. The prayers were answered, brother!!!
Thanks Floyd. Which I can take credit for this but I can’t. I put them into maxims but the thoughts first came through Tim Keller. I do believe the prayers were answered.
You’re very right, Bill. One way is joy, the other bondage. In the past, I have often felt responsibility for things that maybe I didn’t need to feel responsibility for. It’s so much better when you have the right motivation and do everything heartily as unto the Lord. Keeps it all in perspective. Thanks Bill.
Wish more people would realize the joy vs bondage thing Jason. You are right; the perspective is totally changed.
For me II Corinthians 5:14-15 sums it all up for me. It is HIS LOVE FOR ME that motivates me to deny self and obey Him. Woe to us if we share any other kind of love with others. You explained it well brother.
Great verses Betty! You are right: they do sum it up and rather well. Thanks.
I like the quote from J.D. There is a big difference in serving God to get something from him and serving him out of a pure heart that longs a closer relationship.
Exactly Caleb! That is the point.
Having a 12 and 14 year old, there’s a constant struggle between “have to” and “want to” in our house. Luckily, my husband is a great example of how to do what you “have to” so you can then do what you “want to.”
Good point made Kari. I would be interested in hearing your take on how that applies to our Christian walk.
I think it involves ignoring feelings and doing what is right rather than what you feel. What is right stays pretty consistent, while feelings fluctuate. It has to do with meeting needs even when doing so is inconvenient. It has to do with building trust to be able to do what you want sometimes. Often, doing what you want can’t happen until what needs done is taken care of. Those are initial thoughts. What are yours?
That is an excellent point. I have always said feelings are deceptive. if we only did what we felt like doing we would be in real trouble…nothing would probably get done.
I can’t remember when my “had to” became a “want to.” But I’m glad my parents made sure I “had to.” If not, the other would have never happened.
parents making things a “have to” is part and parcel. But you had to learn to do for yourself eventually. Also, you found there is more joy in the “want to.”
First…I should have simply said that I believe the word “religion” has taken on a new definition from the original. Christianity is the one true religion. That’s just what I believe.
As far as “us” disagreeing on anything….even my son and I have different theological views. And I can assure you we love each other. He will just have to wait until we get to heaven to find out I was correct:-)
I also agree with this post. A dead sinner is dead. How would a dead person do good works? Only God can raise a dead sinner to life. Salvation is all about Him.
Ezekiel 36:25-27…..”Then “I” will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; “I” will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, “I” will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and “I” will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh, (one that will respond to spiritual stimuli). “I” will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statues, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
Looks like He does it all. “Regeneration”! After He has saved us….we have the ability to respond to Him in love.. because He gave us a new heart and also His Spirit. And may I point out….this is the only way to do good works. This is what Jeff doesn’t understand. Oprah spent 40 million dollars building a school in Africa. Was that a good work? Only if she is a Christian and did it for the glory of God. If she is not a Christian…..it wasn’t a good work.
Thanks for explaining your “religion” comment further Ike. As for us disagreeing, I would be foolish to think all should agree with me (and therefore be right). 😉 There are two ways of looking at “good work” in your example. To the world, that is a good work. Still, it is not sufficient to get a person into heaven, especially one who is not a follower of Jesus.
As my pastor always says we need to seek God’s face and not just His hand.
We can’t just treat God like a genie, He’s GOD! Seek to know Him.
Lord, Show me your glory!!!
As for tradition being another word for religion- I’m with ya. I’ve seen many who trade religion for a relationship. I want a relationship with Christ, not religion. Religion binds, Christ set me free!
Great post.
I like what your pastor said TC. And I certainly agree with your last paragraph…all the way.
My whole life was changed when I realized God didn’t invent religion. I always thought He used the rules and regulations of religion to keep me under His thumb.
Turns out the opposite is true, His desire is for me to be free from the bondage of religion and that religion was invented by people.
Love what you say here Hutch especially God’s desire for us! Well said.
“There is a fundamental difference in serving God to get something from Him and serving Him to get more of Him.” LOVE that quote! So much gospel truth in that. PS- I also read Gospel at Rob’s prompting- great read.
I like that quote also (as you can tell). Every once in awhile Rob comes up with something good. 😀
I think you all have been thru some negative religious things that were thrust on you by parents or peers.
You are created to DO something ….not to be something or think something. I wouldn’t worry about what I was reading, or thinking, or trying to be. I would worry about what I was doing.
In the US there is no “have” to. We are free. Free of Gov’t and free of God.
Some things we have to do. It’s called work, eat , sleep, and get along. It works better if we take responsibility and not “Hope” the Gov’t or God is going to make us work, eat, sleep, or get along any better than we can manage ourselves.
It is true that many of us have been through some negative things. I, for one, preached this type of garbage for more years than I care to count. I also humbly disagree with your statement about “do” vs. “be.” Do involves character. There are too many-in the church and outside the church-who “do” but their character stinks. Good things were/are done by biggies in corporations but their character sank them. In the church, integrity speaks volumes. What good is it to “do” if I am not “being” a man of character? Everything will crumble when the foundation cracks. As for the “have” to: living in the US does not keep people for forcing their will on others. We are free citizens, that is true, but you know yourself there are many imposing their will on others (sex trafficking for example). I have no visions of grandeur the Gov’t is going to solve the problems.
Seems to me that #1 and #2 are examples of the Old and New Testament. While you can’t always win on #1, you can be sure that #2 has you covered.
Pretty good way to look at this Ed.
“If you love me, you will keep my commands.” Pretty much says it all there – I can sing mightily of how I love God, but I can rest assured that He loves me and, in that knowledge, I can work out my salvation in fear and trembling – both of those words (fear and trembling) given the correct meaning and not the terror-filled ones I was taught by the religion teachers of my youth.
Good stuff, as always, Bill 🙂
And the commandments that Jesus gave his disciples were love God and love your neighbor.