Most of us would agree with the statement that “obedience is the key to the Christian life.”  The idea of doing the right thing is important to us as followers of Christ.  But let me ask you something.  Is just doing the right thing more important that the reason we do it?  Are we to obey just for obedience sake?

This concept implies that we obey because it's the right thing to do, and that God will bless our efforts regardless of the motivation for our obedience.   I don’t believe that this is exactly true!  Our Christian obedience involves a relationship between God and us.  We learn what he wants for us, then we respond.  Obedience for obedience sake is not Biblical.  Deuteronomy 5:33 says to “walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days.”  God wants us to do the right thing so that we will grow in our faith and understanding.   Obedience should be our response to our relationship with God.  He wants us to choose to obey out of love, not fear.  This type of obedience then leads us to growth and responsibility.

God doesn’t want an army of puppets, he’s looking for those who choose to follow him.  What about you?  What motivates you to do what you do?