Motives Matter Series #3: Out of Fear, Pride, or Love — Why do you obey?

Welcome to the Motives Matter series, where we will explore not only what things we do in our faith, but why we do them.  We will explore what kind of relationship God really wants from His people, and the fact that He can read our hearts.  In this message, we will look at why we obey God.

The Why Behind Obedience

Obedience to God is a good thing — but why do we obey?  Motives matter.  Two people can follow the same command, yet only one pleases God.  One obeys out of love, while the other is driven by fear or pride.  From the outside, their actions might look identical, but God sees what others can’t: the heart.

Obeying Out of Fear: Afraid of the Consequences

Some people obey God out of fear — and not the healthy kind of reverence Scripture calls the fear of the Lord.  Instead, this is a fear rooted in punishment and rejection.  Yes, there are consequences for sin.  Scripture is clear: Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is death.”  But God never intended our relationship with Him to be built on terror.

Look at the Israelites at Mount Sinai. When they saw the thunder, lightning, and smoke surrounding the mountain, they trembled and told Moses in Exodus 20:19: “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” They obeyed — but not because they loved God.  They obeyed to avoid His wrath.  Their hearts remained distant, and their fear kept them from truly knowing Him.

Fear may drive obedience, but it doesn’t build relationship. God wants more than servants who cower — He desires sons and daughters who draw near.  1 John 4:18-19 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.  For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.  We love because he first loved us.”

Obeying Out of Pride: Self-Righteousness and Self-Sufficiency

Others obey God out of pride.  Not the kind of pride that seeks applause, but the kind that says, “I can do this on my own.” This is the pride of self-righteousness — the belief that if we just try hard enough, we can earn God’s favor.  It’s the mindset of the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:11-12: “God, I thank You that I am not like other men… I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.”  The Pharisee's obedience wasn't about honoring God.  It was about proving his own goodness.  He thought his actions made him worthy, as if he could climb his way to God through his own righteousness.  We know how that one ended…the tax collector, and NOT the pharisee, was the one who went home justified.

Isaiah also reminds us in Isaiah 64:6: “All our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.”  Self-righteous obedience is a subtle form of pride.  It says, “I don’t need grace — I’ve got this.”  But the truth is, we can’t earn God’s love.  Our best efforts fall short.  Obedience without dependence is just another form of rebellion, wrapped in religion.

Obeying Out of Love: The Heart God Desires

Then there’s the obedience that pleases God — obedience rooted in love.  This makes sense.  If you’re a parent, you want the obedience from your child done out of love, not fear.  If you’re a husband, you want the fidelity of your wife because she loves you, not just because she’s afraid of getting caught.  Jesus Himself said in John 14:15: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”  Notice what He didn’t say.  He didn’t say, “If you fear Me…” or “If you want to prove yourself…”  No — “If you love Me.”

True obedience flows from relationship. It’s the natural response of a heart overwhelmed by God’s goodness and grace.  Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."  When you realize how much He loves you, you can authentically love Him back.  1 Peter 1:8-9 “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”  When love is the motive, obedience is not a burden — it’s a joy.

What About You?

So, why do you obey?  Is it fear of punishment?  Pride in your own goodness?  Or is it love for the One who laid down His life for you?

The beauty of the gospel is that we don’t obey to earn God’s love — we obey because we already have it.  In Christ, there is no condemnation.  No need to prove yourself.  Just the invitation to walk with Him in love.  Today, God is inviting you to examine your heart.

So, what’s your motive?