This morning my boys, Tucker and Bedford, were glued to the Veggie Tales video with the "Bunny Song" ("Oh, I ate the Bunny"). I heard the big cucumber sing "I’ll obey my momma ‘cause she loves me so." It occurred to me that the cucumber would obey not because he loves Momma Cucumber, but because she loves him so. This set me to thinking about the same pattern in the Scriptures. Our motivation to obey is not based upon our circumstances, upon others, or upon us, but on the pattern set by our ultimate authority, God himself. I was reminded of:

We love him because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).

He is the Lord God that took us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Therefore we are to have no other gods before Him, not make any images of Him with our hands, not take His name in vain, remember and respect the Sabbath day, honor our parents, not murder, not commit adultery, not steal, not bear false witness, and not covet (Exodus 20:2-17).

We are to walk in love as Christ has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God. Therefore we must shun fornication, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talk, and coarse jesting. Rather, we are to give thanks. (Ephesians 5:2-4).

We are to love our wives just as Christ has loved the Church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25).

We are to be content with what we have because He has said that He will never leave us or forsake us. Therefore we are not to be afraid (Hebrews13:5-6).

We are to be holy because He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

We are to observe His loving care of the creation and as a result, have no worries about our lives (Matthew 6:25-34).

What is it about His plan that depends on our performance or the performance of others for its’ success? Nothing.

If my wife or even my children are not behaving as I would prefer, am I actually expected to be joyous, meek and patient? If I do not feel particularly spiritual today -- irritable or even sick -- what is expected of me? If the church I attend is floundering and folks are showing little dedication, why should I go out of my way? If I’ve had a hard and busy week why can’t I have a break come Sunday and just stay home? If I’m in debt and see no way out why don’t I have a right to worry and complain? If my life is going nothing like I expected while heathens and idiots are prospering, how can I be content? If my marital relations are not going well, why am I expected to be faithful? If I live in a sin-infested neighborhood, how can I possibly live a holy life -- isn’t this an exception?

No, that’s not the deal. God’s commitment to us obliterates the "what if" scenarios. Even His commands come with built in motivations and help. Like the big cucumber, we obey him because he loves us so. After a litany of evil in verses 1-4, James 4 tells us that there is another way…

"He gives more grace. Therefore He says ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:6-10)

I need lifting up. I’m glad I paid attention to the Veggie Tales today.

(Johnny Ray Bain is my son-in-law. He and Liberty have two sons, Tucker and Bedford. Johnny is the national sales director for a company that produces products for medical physics. – F. Sanders)

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