Why Do You Do What You Do?

Why Do You Do What You Do?

by David Brenneman 

"For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10.

"For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts." 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4.

"not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free." Ephesians 6:6-8.

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality." Colossians 3:23-25.

"There's no way that you can keep from being conformed to the world unless you are being transformed by the renewing of your mind." Ray Stedman

Why DO you pursue what you do? 

Why ARE you excited about the things that you are excited about?

How much of those things are going to make you learn more of what it means to be more like Christ? Some of it? Parts of it? All of it? None of it?

Where you are intentionally taking our mind to tells whether you are being conformed to the world or transformed by the renewing of your mind.

That quote really tells the story of our thoughts and intentions. Interestingly enough...where have we read about thoughts and intentions?

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:12-13.

These very Scriptures, the very Word of God, that this passage refers to says exactly what kind of accountability we will be taken to in standing before Jesus one day. 

Long ago people made a joke of the attention span of a dog. In less than a second many dogs can go from docile, calm, well behaved to running after a squirrel. Throwing everything into instant chaos. 

In this war of the mind of man, we have the exact same problem between our wants and desires and being intentional on living the life in Christ that He desires for us.  

We may indeed need to sacrifice our wants and desires in order to be in training in righteousness for the work of God in Christ Jesus that He's planned out for us to be doing for Him. 

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21.

The Christian life is an intentional life. We have 4 Gospels to describe this intentional life. We have a set of books after them that expound upon those Gospels and provide both examples and instructions on living life in Christ that He desires for us.  

So what are you doing about it? Are you at all attempting to take up your own cross to follow Jesus?

Are you one of those who are pursuing life as God wants of you or are you only giving God your leftover few minutes here and there? Not remotely putting your heart into what He's desiring for you, not considering that you are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that you might walk in them. 

Considering what all the whole armor of God is to do and protect, doesn't that imply there's a special specific plan to go with that for the bearer of that armor? People easily recognize that a man or woman in a space suit is going to be doing something in space. Someone dressed in overalls and on a working farm is probably going to be doing farm work. Someone wearing a chef's garment is probably going to be creating meals.   

So look at how you are dressed for the day. Are you dressed for, both spiritually and mentally, for the environment that He is taking you to? Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus. Accurately handling the Word of God. Being transformed by the renewing of your mind in Christ. Not being conformed to this world. 

I will readily admit that some of my Bible studies maxes out my brain. But that's not a bad thing. Anyone can veg out doing nothing beneficial. There's times when I do that too. Atypically it can be a path to future troubles. Planting seeds of doubt or seeds of sinful opportunities. As that quote said...we are either being conformed or transformed.  

Realize that your sin nature as well as whatever has been permitted by God, the sinful suggestions by Satan and his companions...these are not going to leave you alone.

We are going to face such things every day. Being intentional on being transformed helps mitigate whatever is trying to dig into our hearts and minds. 

You have before you the path of life in Christ and the path of the world. 

You can't pursue both at the same time. In the Gospels we read of the intentionality of Jesus to set aside His desires to live out life in a way that showed full obedience to His Father in Heaven.

Literally lives are at stake.  

Literally our obedience in living life in Christ hastens His return. 

We don't know who that last person is who will say yes to salvation in Christ will be. But whomever it is will only know of that free gift of salvation because of the obedience of someone to live life in Christ in such a way that they saw their good works and glorified our Father in Heaven.

What you do, what you go after in life, should absolutely include your transformation into the person in Christ that He's making you to be.

If you're one who struggles with understanding, ask Him for help. The Bible says that if anyone lacks wisdom they are to ask of God who gives it freely to all who ask. 

Jesus conquered sin, death and the grave in order to provide salvation to all who would believe.  

Take stock of what is driving you to do what you are doing.  

Temporary sacrifices now yield eternal rewards later. Keep your eyes on the prize.  

Are you not realizing that you're not going to hear "Well done!" from Jesus if you're only trying to get by in life by doing the bare minimum?

Think long and hard about your why's that are your life.  

Why do you do what all it is you are doing?

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.