This past week I had three fun opportunities to discuss Sam Storms' book, Pleasures Evermore: the UNC Thursday night Bible study, "Women Who Intercede" small group, and Jim Reklis' mentor group.

Take the following quiz:

Why do you obey God?
1. Because it's the right thing to do.
2. Because it brings me pleasure.

I would venture to say that the vast majority of Christians would answer #1. I mean to obey God for the pleasure it brings me sounds so very self-centered. Obeying God because it's the right thing to do is DUTY. Obeying God because of the pleasure it brings me is DELIGHT.

Duty is doing the right thing for the wrong reason (wrong heart attitude).
Delight is doing the right thing for the right reason (right heart attitude).

To understand this truth, consider John Piper's example of dutiful roses. Piper says, "dutiful roses are a contradiction."

I bring home a dozen red roses to my wife, Nana. Nana is surprised and asks "Oh Kendrick, why did you do it?" I very proudly answer, "well Nana. It's my duty. This morning I read Ephesians 5 that says husbands should love their wives. So although I didn't feel like it, I denied my self. I did the right thing, because God's word told me so." How would Nana feel? Cherished? Valued?

Let's try it again: I bring home a dozen red roses to my wife, Nana. Nana is surprised and asks "Oh Kendrick, why did you do it?" I reply, "Oh Nana. Nothing brings me more pleasure than giving you roses. I couldn't help myself. I was so excited this morning. I was thinking: what would be the most fun for me today? I knew it would be giving you roses. I love doing this. It's so much fun for me."

Would Nana respond, "You're just a selfish pig. You did this for your own pleasure." NO! She'd feel highly esteemed, loved, and honored. My pleasure in her displayed how precious she is to me.

Dutiful obedience does not honor God. Dutiful obedience (doing the right thing for the wrong reason) is better than disobedience. Nana would prefer that I dutifully give her roses instead of giving roses to the neighbor lady! But she would wouldn't be satisfied with dutiful roses. She wants my actions of love to flow from a heart that enjoys and takes delight in her.

The same is true with God. Pursue your pleasure in God! It's your duty to delight in Him.

- posted by Kendrick @ 12:19 PM