Monday, May 21, 2012

Does God Just Want Any Sort of Obedience?

Tullian T.:
...many Christians think God cares only that we obey. In fact, many believe that it is even more honorable-and therefore more righteous-when we obey God against all desire to obey him. Where did we get the idea that if we do what God tells us to do even though “our hearts are far from Him”, that it’s something to be proud of, something admirable, something praiseworthy, something righteous? Don’t get me wrong, we should obey even when we don’t feel like it (I expect my children, for instance, to clean their rooms and respect their mother and me even when they don’t feel like it). But let’s not make the common mistake of proudly equating that with the righteousness that God requires.

The truth is that God isn’t concerned with any kind of obedience; he’s concerned with a certain kind of obedience. What motivates our obedience determines whether or not it is a sacrifice of praise. Doing the right thing with the wrong heart reveals deep unrighteousness, not devout righteousness. T.S. Eliot said it best, “The last temptation is the greatest treason: To do the right deed for the wrong reason.”
Read the rest.


Books by Tullian:
Jesus + Nothing = Everything

Surprised by Grace: God's Relentless Pursuit of Rebels
Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different

1 comment:

Steve Martin said...

Actually, God requires 'perfect obedience'.

In thought, word, and deed.With pure motives...all the time...from birth, to the grave.

We don't have a prayer.

Actually, that's all we have.