Have you ever given thought to the matter of motive in loving and obeying God. God gave man the Ten Commandments to obey, but do we? Or are they just a list of Do’s and Don’ts that we see as something we are supposed to do? We may make some effort to obey them, but our effort comes down to “have to”.

God understands us. In dying on a cruel cross for us while we were sinners it changes things. He demonstrated His extreme love for us and if and when we respond to that love we respond back in love for Him. That turns things around making us want to obey Him versus having to obey Him. That is much better. It makes it easier when we want to do something for another person.

Yes, ‘want to’ wins hands down over ‘have to’. That is not hard to understand. It is not rocket science. It is just the simple truth. When we finally comprehend God’s great love for us which was the reason He willingly went to Calvary to die a horrific death that we might be forgiven of our sin … when we understand what it cost Him to redeem us (buy us back from Satan) we will want to obey Him.

Motivation is an important matter. Wanting to do something is much better … much easier than having to do something. Well, like ol’ Forest … that’s all I have to say about that.