The detectives on crime dramas have common details that they are investigating.  Did the suspect have opportunity?  Did the suspect have motive?  These are important details to the solving of a crime.  Motive is a funny word, it is from the Latin meaning, "to move."  In other words it is a word that describes our inner drive, impulse or intention (according to Mr. Webster).  This matter of motive is not only important in solving a crime, it is important in our service to God.  The follower of Jesus is to have a "rightness" that exceeds externalism, it follows that Jesus would address this matter of motive.  Why do we do what we do?  Let's face it, often we are tempted to do things merely to keep others happy or perhaps...to make ourselves happy by their approval.  This "people-pleasing" lifestyle can become an addiction.  In John 12 we learn of people that were so addicted to the praise of others that they could not believe and confess Christ for who He really was.  They actually believed that the praise of men was more valuable than the approval of God!  Jesus wants us to have abundant life and we will never have it if we are addicted to the approval of other people.  I think it was Augustine who first coined the phrase, "living for an audience of One."  Whoever came up with the phrase was right in line with what Jesus has taught us about motives, let's live for the reward of the Father and not the petty opinions of other people.  There is life and liberty in actually doing what Jesus said.

Lawyers, Financial Advisors, Doctors, Pastors and Jesus all have something in common...people like to vote on their advice.  Truthfully some advice should not be taken from those first four but generally speaking, when they are being consulted about something in their field of expertise, we should heed their counsel.  For example, surgeons/doctors know a thing or two about what happens to the body in surgery and how long it takes to recuperate.  It's a struggle for me to take their advice.  "You may not return to work for 10 days," she says.  The post-op instructions say I am not supposed to lift anything over 10 pounds for two weeks.  Do grandkids count?  Antibiotics make me sleepy and drinking all that water makes me...you know.  So I'm not preaching again this Sunday even though I feel I am ready and I haven't gone to the church office this week and I've only lifted the top half of the grandsons, that's about 10 pounds...though the bottom half came with the top so don't tell the surgeon.  I've been taking naps and adjusting my diet to "low-fat", seriously.  I haven't had a chocolate chip cookie in two weeks, can this be living?  But, I really think the doctors are in this for more than the money; I really think they want me well.  And, truthfully, I want to be well.  So, I will trust and obey...

 

That takes me to the fifth Person mentioned above.  The advice of Jesus (the Express Image of God's Person), should always be followed.  He is the expert on what life is about and how to live.  If we want to live well, be good people and enjoy an abundant life, we simply must do what He said.  It will not always "feel right."  Our own desires are going to get in the way, our thoughts about what is acceptable will run contrary to His brilliance.  He knows...so trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.  Don't vote on His advice, do it.  Not just because He is the Lord but because He really wants us to be well.  Do you want to be well?