WWJD and the Law

Q: What is the difference between being spiritual, ethical/moral and simply following the law?

A: In a word: motivation.

It gets to the "why" we do things rather than just be focused on the "how."

This is the very heart of what it means to be a Christian. We live out of a "core spirituality" rather than simply following a set of laws and expected behavior.

You can spend your life finding out all the behaviors, knowing all the rules, doing everything appropriately... and yet still not have your heart in it.

In other words, you're just going through the motions.

Christianity asks you to change your motivation from "I won't do this because I'll get caught" to "Because of God's love, how can I love others better?" and "What is it that God is calling me to do?"

This is what Jesus meant when he talked about "all the law and the prophets" being wrapped up in love. Such ethical and legal activity ultimately rest on the two great commandments: "Love God" and "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matt 22:36-40)

So it comes down to "What motivates you?"

Are you doing something because the law says it's OK? ...something your friends, family and perhaps the society expects?

Or are you acting out of gratitude for the presence of God, Jesus Christ in your life?

The first case asks: "Will I get caught?" and "How do I become a good person?"

The second: "WWJD?" (What would Jesus Do?) or better yet "WWJHMD?" (What would Jesus have me do?)

To be spiritual means you have a foundation that comes from "outside" your own interests to base your behavior and your decisions upon. To be spiritual is to rely on, trust in, have faith in God as the one who gives your life direction and purpose.

All this is possible because of God's great love for us and God's willingness to be in our life with us.

All this is possible because of the great love and sacrifice given to us in Jesus Christ.

Comments

[Pastor Terry]

Kenny,
Many religions use this very idea of "do it until you get it" way of understanding.

Parents and teachers know the value of how behavior will influence belief.

So your idea that the law can lead one to motivation has a lot of evidence that it works.

St. Paul also makes this point in his letter to the Galatians 8:23-24 (New Test.)
"Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed.
So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith."

He is making your point that at one time the law was necessary to lead us into the right way, but now with Christ we have a deeper motivation, a love that transcends and fullfills the law.

Therefore, we don't need to worry about all the details of the law, for if we "love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength" and we "love our neighbor as ourselves" we will act in God's will and therefore all the intent of the law.

It's all part of that "Attitude of Gratitude" that we've been talking about.

[KennyP]

I have a theory that following the law can lead to motivation. Although the following might not appear to be a good analogy, I'll use it simply because for me, it works.

Many people who join the military do not have a built in sense of patriotism or duty. The motivations for enlisting can range from a sense of no better opportunity to money for college to simply an opportunity to travel and see the world.

The military of course is a highly regulated organization, full of rules, policies and “laws”.

The discipline expected of an individual in the military tends to make one feel that they are “separate” from regular civilian society. In fact, this separation, over time, can breed a sense of devotion, loyalty and patriotism that becomes a core part of the individuals belief system.

The “law” in reference to our religious/spiritual beliefs can do the same thing.

For example, if one only attends worship services because they believe it is the “law”, at first, they might not gain much from it. Over time though, the simple act of “suiting up and showing up” might cause them to slowly but surely, start to get it, in their hearts.

Another example.. Alcoholics Anonymous has a saying.. “Keep Coming Back”.. they do this in no small part because alcoholics in recovery are aware that eventually, the one still suffering might finally hear the right thing, in the right context, that they begin to believe and through that belief, come to a spiritual answer to their addiction.

Our spirituality has to start somewhere, and for some, the law might be that place. From a beginning of simply following the discipline of our religion, the inside motivation to ask WWJD/WWJHMD may very well follow.