Christian Behavior

Why do we do the things we do?  This question has been debated by philosophers throughout history.  Some would say that we live our lives based upon things we were taught as children by our parents, teachers and for some, the Church.  Our conscience was shaped and trained by early instruction.  Then we eventually go through an adherence to that formed conscience or a resistance to it.  Most form patterns of living their lives just doing what they "like to do" as their circumstances allow. Some people only eat meat, potatoes and desserts.  If you don't believe it just look around casually the next time you are in a restaurant.  See what the majority of folks eat. They eat what they want!  I know that sounds silly because after all, isn't that what we all do?  Not really.  I will order just what I want on occasion, but mostly I will eat a mixture of things I want to eat and things I need to eat.  Every time I go through a salad bar (which is a choice in itself) I will always come to the broccoli bowl.  Hmmmm....choices!  Should I lessen my enjoyment of my salad by adding broccoli?  After all, I really don't like it.  Most of the time I end up adding it and eating it because it is good for me even if it isn't good to me.  Also how much I eat is a part of that "choice process."  So what then is motivating "what I do?"  What is behind my choices?  Knowledge.  Knowledge narrows my choices.  Of course, that is true only to the degree that I have disciplined myself to follow knowledge in daily life choices. Then there is knowledge that comes from knowing the Scripture and more importantly having what the Bible calls the mind of Christ.  1 Cor. 2:16 tells us that "we understand...for we have the mind of Christ."  Having the mind of Christ is synonymous with the knowledge of the Scripture. Only those who have received Christ as Savior and Lord have this new dimension of knowledge called the Mind of Christ.   Yet, this increased knowledge for living life successfully requires a choice.  We may reject it and do the opposite while Truth is screaming on the inside to do right.  God has given us that ability to choose or reject.   

So, we are back to our original question.  "Why do we do the things we do?"  Our actions are determined by our level of knowledge and our choices regarding that knowledge.  As true Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we have the innate ability, unlike the world, to not only make the right choice but to remain faithful to that choice.  Actually, the simple natural action to choose rightly activates God's power to strengthen our faithfulness.