Lesson 6 | Grasp the Anchors & Aims
Study Skill: Discover Reasons Why
“Why?” It might be the most frequently asked question by children. Why? ;) Sometimes the question flows out of a heart of disobedience, as in a defiant, “Why should I?” But often a child’s heart is filled with genuine curiosity and a desire to learn why things are the way they are … or should be. In every case (even “Why should I?”), the question presses into the realities that motivate us.
Scripture very intentionally pushes into the motivations behind our choices. Its truth works to rewire the circuitry of our affections and desires so that we not only know the right thing to do, but have a godly motivation to actually do it. The Bible offers two sorts of answers to the question “Why?”
Anchors
The first answer begins, “Because…” and then points to truths that firmly establish our faith. The world in which we live flounders in a sea of uncertainty. Our lives need firm and sure anchors—solid-as-bedrock truths that we can stake our lives upon. God has richly and abundantly supplied such anchors in his word.
Consider Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. The first three chapters contain only one explicit command (Eph 2:11, “remember…”). The first major command comes in chapter four. Then, in the final three chapters, there are forty imperatives! The point is this: consider how much truth Paul teaches in the first half of his letter in order to provide a firm footing for all the commands in the second half. And this is not an exception but a distinct pattern among biblical writers. We need these truths that ground our faith and obedience, truths that provide a stable platform from which we can take action, truths that form a firm foundation upon which we can confidently build our lives.
Specifically, look for…
1. Truths about God
E.g. The LORD is a shield around me; he upholds me, answers my cries, and sustains me—therefore I can walk in this world without fear.
2. Truths about man
E.g. The heart is deceitful—therefore I should not just follow my heart wherever it wants to go.
3. Gospel truths
E.g. Christ has purchased my life—body and soul—therefore I ought not give either over to ungodly passions.
Let me unpack this example a bit further. Paul’s instruction concerning sexual immorality is thoroughly rooted in gospel truths—Christ’s resurrection and ours (1Co 6:14), our union with Christ (1Co 6:15–17), and finally, the reality of our redemption in Christ (1Co 6:20). Our redemption is not to be spiritualized into a meaningless vapor. It is a reality that has significant implications for our bodies.
Aims
It’s puzzling. When I speak on living by faith I often ask, “How many of you know that Jesus calls us to love our enemies?” Everyone nods and says they know this. Then I ask, “How many of you know the reason Jesus gives for why we should love our enemies?” Almost always the response is the same — very few know the reason. Why don’t we know the reason? Are we so good at loving our enemies that we don’t need Jesus’ reason? Um — no. I’m not so good at loving my enemies. And I’m pretty sure we all need help in this. And yet we remember only the command — but not the reason Jesus gives to help us obey the command. What is the reason? Here’s what Jesus taught in Luke 6:35, “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great.” Jesus motivates our love for enemies with the promise of reward — more of his heart-satisfying presence. Here’s how this works: When we know that Christ has secured for us the joy of his presence forever — and that loving our enemies will bring us even more of that joy — we will be freed and motivated to love our enemies.
~Steve Fuller
The second way to answer the question “Why?” begins, “So that…” and points us to realities that come as a consequence of our decisions. As you seek to discover the aims that motivate our obedience, look for…
1. Promises
The Scriptures are rich with promises, which God delights to fulfill.
2. Warnings
Both the old and new testaments complement those promises with clear warnings. We need both to keep our hearts on target.
The following video provides a great example of looking for both the positive and negative aims surrounding a biblical command.
3. Biblical values and priorities
The aims in Scripture may also work to realign our hearts toward the biblical values of loving God and loving our neighbor, so that our obedience seeks to bless others and glorify God. Here we can ask, “What is God aiming for in this command?”
E.g. I should develop a consistently gracious tongue, so that my responses to everyone are always fitting. God wants all my words to be aligned with the Gospel.