Articles
God Cares WHY
The apostle Paul told the brethren at Corinth that there is a more important judgment than that of our brethren or even self (1 Cor. 4:3), and plainly stated, “He who judges me is the Lord” (1 Cor. 4:4). He then admonished them, “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God” (1 Cor. 4:5). His point is that we should care little for what others may judge us to be or even what we think about ourselves, but primarily what God and Christ know about us.
In his admonition, let us note that the divinely-inspired word tells us that, in that final judgment, God will “bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts” (1 Cor. 4:5; NASB). In other words, not only what we did will be brought into judgment and accountability (2 Cor. 5:10), but even why we did what we did. That is not something we should overlook — or take lightly! While the world may only see our outward deeds and hear the words we speak, God knows what is in the heart and, therefore, why we do what we do — and it matters to Him more than just the outwardly-visible deeds!
Consider that the two great commands [to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37, 38)] are not necessarily outwardly visible; if anything, the greatest command makes it clear it is something to be done with the heart, and no man can know what is in the heart of another. But God knows — and God cares! We should care, too!
For example, consider that in the condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees by Jesus, He quoted the Father’s words as they applied to them and where He had said they would “draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Matt. 15:8, 9); these were not words of praise, but further stated, regarding this habit, “in vain they worship Me.” Because their hearts were not in it, their ‘worship’ was useless! It did not matter what they did outwardly (“their mouth…their lips”) for God was most interested in their hearts, and their hearts were “far from” Him! God doesn’t just want us to put on an outward show of ‘worship,’ but wants our hearts; therefore, it matters why we do what we do, and how we do it.
Continuing with the matter of love, let us not forget that the Scriptures teach the importance — the necessity — of love in all we do: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Cor. 13:1-3). Clearly, God cares why we do what we do!
Consider also the New Testament command to Christians regarding our giving. In outlining God’s expectations of us, Paul told the brethren at Corinth, “it is accepted” if “there is first a willing mind” (2 Cor. 8:12); already, we see the heart is involved in this matter, but there is more we must consider. Paul would later write, regarding our giving, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Again, the heart is the foundational determining factor in giving that pleases God! In these words, we learn that God cares less about how much we give, and more about why and how we give. If we give “grudgingly” or feeling like we ‘have to’ rather than because we simply want to, then it is not acceptable, and God is not pleased with us. God cares why.
Now, let’s apply this truth to another matter that sometimes arises when speaking to others about their soul and salvation: The question of whether one must be baptized again. Quite often, there is a question about an individual’s baptism that was done in the past, and done according to the teaching of denominational churches. A question arises because these churches teach the reason for baptism is something other than what the Scriptures teach, and so the one whose baptism is in question asks, “Why do I need to be baptized again?” That’s a good question, and one that deserves an answer. The answer is simple: Because the first/previous baptism was for the wrong reason.
The Scriptures teach plainly that one is to “Repent, and…be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Baptism’s God-given purpose is “for the remission of sins.” The Scriptures also teach “baptism…now saves you” (1 Pet. 3:21); despite what many denominations teach, that baptism has no part whatsoever in your salvation, God’s word clearly says it does! So, if one’s baptism was merely ‘a message to the world that you have already been saved’ [before and without baptism], it was not for the right reason. If one’s baptism was merely a ritual for induction into a local church, it was not for the right reason. If one’s baptism was done with the expectation this same individual would be imbued with a miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit and would be speaking languages unknown to mankind, it was not for the right reason.
Friends, if anything we do in our service and obedience to the Lord is done for the wrong reason, it is not acceptable to the Lord, and the only possible way to correct the situation is to do it for the right reason. That would include our worship, our daily service, and the initiating act of faithful obedience that unites us with the Lord — our baptism. If it was done for the wrong reason or purpose, we will not be right with God unless and until we are baptized for the right reason: “for the remission of sins.”
In Acts 19:1-7, when Paul came to Ephesus, he met some disciples who knew only of the baptism of John, what is in another place identified as a baptism “for repentance” (Matt. 3:11), and Paul notes that in this context (Acts 19:4). It should also be noted that these disciples apparently had not yet believed in Jesus, which is a requirement of the one who is to be baptized (Mark 16:16). The Scripture tells us, “On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” These disciples were baptized again because the previous baptism was for the wrong reason and until it was for the right reason, they could not receive the benefits of the saving power of Christ’s blood.
This example shows clearly that one may be baptized again — that one must be baptized again — if the first/previous baptism was for the wrong reason. To argue that being baptized again [even for the right reason] “trivializes the act” is nonsense! If anything, being baptized for the right reason shows great respect for God’s will and the act wherein He will do the work of forgiving and joining us to the saving blood of Jesus Christ (Col. 2:12, 13). If anything, this would highlight its importance!
Friends and brethren, whatever we do in our lives, God cares why we do it. We may outwardly appear righteous and faithful and pious, but “the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). God cares why. — Steven Harper
