Why?

I grow more and more convinced that God's first priority concerning our doings involves the "Why?" rather than the "What?"

Proper motivation must precede and empower proper action if we are to genuinely do the will of God. God's will must be done in God's way if it is to be God's will. This presents a great dilemma: how do we know "the intents of the heart?" Indeed, other than God Himself, our own selves are the greatest mystery in our lives. As the Apostle Paul confessed, "For that which I do, I allow (know or understand) not" (Romans 7:15). How, therefore, can we be sure that our motives are truly authentic, as God defines authenticity?

The writer of Hebrews answers the question.

"The Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

God Himself must reveal our "Why?" He does so by His Word, both the living Word of the Spirit of Christ, and the written Word of the Bible. First, we must trust God personally if the question of motive is to be rightly answered. "Search me, o God, and know my heart," prayed David, who also asked, "Cleanse Thou me from secret faults" (Psalm 139:23; Psalm 19:12). We must join the Psalmist in frequent requests that God reveal our "Why?" The Lord will then lead us to a consistent relationship with the written Word of God that continually emphasizes motive. The Holy Spirit will search us accordingly, accomplishing a work of discovery that mere introspection could never provide.

At the judgment seat of Christ, where the works of believers will be evaluated for spiritual authenticity, "What?" will matter to our Heavenly Father. He is concerned that our doings rightly reflect the Lord Jesus and the commands of His Word. However, "Why?" will matter more. The same emphasis must guide our determination to trust and obey God, and to live lives that honor Him. We do well to maintain ongoing communication with our Heavenly Father - "Search me" - and ongoing consideration of the pages of Scripture in order to know His heart, and to know our heart.

"The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

(I Samuel 16:7)