Choose what is right.
I’ve been told to choose or do what is right many times over the years. You have as well. Often we are in situations where we must make decisions. Sometimes it looks like two choices – as if it is A or B, right or wrong, one way or the other. Many times there are multiple choices.
There are complications as well. Consider these two: 1) Sometimes the choices are all good and we are choosing between good things, which is hard, and 2) Often the choices require much wisdom as well.
The Motive for a Godly Decision
Making godly choices that honor the Lord begins on the motive level. In other words, your motives answer the question of “why” you choose what you do. For a decision to honor the Lord, you must begin with the right motive for that decision.
As an example, you may choose to be kind to someone when given the opportunity. The choice to be kind is a good choice. The action itself is right. The Bible is clear that all Christians should be nice to others (Eph 4:32). However, if you are kind to another person because you want them to “like you” or “give you what you want,” then the motive makes it ungodly. In essence, although you acted godly, your motive ruined it.
You did what was right – you were kind. However, because you did what was right for the wrong reason, God is not honored in your motive. In order for God to receive the glory in a particular choice you make, you need both the right motive (heart level) and the right word or action (behavior level). Only then is the choice a godly decision which honors the Lord.Why you do what you do is just as important as what you do what you do. Here's why... Click To Tweet
What Motives Are Godly?
Many motives may actually work together in combination to make a decision godly or not; however, for the sake of this blog, let me suggest five inter-related and critical motives.
- I want to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Paul the Apostle wrote, “Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God.” Regardless of what it is that you do – which of course is a very broad category which includes everything – God requires for that thing to be done for the goal of honoring the Lord. - I want to demonstrate my love for God (Matthew 22:37-38).
Jesus said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” In this statement, Jesus identifies love of God the Father as a critical aspect of daily life. As you follow God, it is critical for you to solely hold your love for Him as the most important thing in your life. This is the first commandment. - I want to demonstrate my love for my neighbor (Matthew 22:39-40).
Jesus went on to say, “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Not only should the follower of Christ love God first and foremost, he should also demonstrate love for his or her neighbor. As Jesus said, this is the second commandment. - I want to demonstrate respect for God (1 Peter 1:17-19).
Peter, one of Jesus’ most passionate and, at times, most imperfect followers, provides us insight as to the way we choose to live life. As we make decisions, we need to demonstrate a true respect for God. He wrote, “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” Notice his emphasis – live your time on earth in fear or out of respect of Who God is and what God wants. The fear of God relates to your respect for Him. - I want to demonstrate respect for my neighbor (1 Peter 2:11-12).
Again, Peter helps us think through what it looks like to be a careful and diligent follower of Jesus Christ. He continues, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” Related to this instruction, notice how your decisions should not honor your flesh; but instead, your conduct should seek to help your neighbor glorify God as they observe you. In other words, you live in front of others with a desire to help those people honor the Lord. Out of love for God and your neighbor, you are motivated to live in a way that another person or neighbor, as they observe you, may in the future glorify God as well. This means in daily choices you demonstrate respect for your neighbor as an outflow of your love for God and them.
Consider Your Motives as You Make Choices
It is important to always choose to do what is right. So many things would go differently if we were only committed to doing what is a right choice. In order to do that though, we must begin with the right motive for what it is that we choose to do.
To do what ultimately glorifies God begins with the motive by which you choose to do that thing.
As we continue to live in the midst of this COVID-19 suffering and all the days afterward, let us choose to do what is right for the right reasons. Along the way, God will receive the glory and others will be blessed.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
Good read. Often thought that we don’t often talk much about the fear of God anymore.
Agreed. Excellent book on it by Jerry Bridges. I think it is one of the key doctrines in the Bible (re: Proverbs).