Lifted Veil

“Hi Shane, I’m thankful that the Lord has given us many powerful motives in the form of doctrinal truths (indicatives) as reasons why we should obey Him. However, would you agree that the Bible uses an indicative to motivate only some imperatives? But, other imperatives are given with no motives, just sheer duty?Do you believe it’s OK to obey God out of duty, with no conscious motive? (No, that’s not Phariseeism or legalism. Christ rebuked the Pharisees for obeying from sinful motives, not NO motives.)  Can I suggest that much if not most of our obedience is without conscious motives? Every day we obey our Lord from disciplined habits of godliness. And, you know what? That’s not a sin.  Sure, I prefer to stop and think about why I should obey.  But, we often don’t have time to think.  And, God accepts our obedience in Christ, whether from conscious motives or no motives. . .”

This post is a continued response which started by making some general comments to clarify what I believe (last post).  In this post I will interact specifically with the above objection. Continue Reading »

“Hi Shane, I’m thankful that the Lord has given us many powerful motives in the form of doctrinal truths (indicatives) as reasons why we should obey Him.However, would you agree that the Bible uses an indicative to motivate only some imperatives? But, other imperatives are given with no motives, just sheer duty?

Do you believe it’s OK to obey God out of duty, with no conscious motive? (No, that’s not Phariseeism or legalism. Christ rebuked the Pharisees for obeying from sinful motives, not NO motives.)

Can I suggest that much if not most of our obedience is without conscious motives? Every day we obey our Lord from disciplined habits of godliness. And, you know what? That’s not a sin.

Sure, I prefer to stop and think about why I should obey. But, we often don’t have time to think. And, God accepts our obedience in Christ, whether from conscious motives or no motives. . .”

I’ll respond by making some general comments to clarify what I believe (this post) and then interact specifically with the above objection (next post).  Continue Reading »