Why do people who know the truth not obey it, or why do those who know that something is wrong, go ahead and do it anyway? The answer to both these questions is—motivation.  We do what we really want to do. Our time and money are spent on things we want. Our association is with people we want to be with, and our meditations are on those things we desire to think about.

There is an old fable about a dog that boasted of his ability as a runner. One day he chased a rabbit and failed to catch it. The other dogs ridiculed him on account of his previous boasting. His reply was, “you must remember that the rabbit was running for his life, while I was only running for my dinner.” Another story that illustrates the same thing was told by Bobby Dodd, a coach and athletic director at Georgia Tech. A team was leading 7 to 6 with a minute to play, and the coach had instructed the quarterback not to pass the ball under any condition. But when the ball was moved to the ten yard line, the quarterback was overcome with temptation when he saw an opportunity to pass. The ball was intercepted by the opponent’s fleetest back and he started toward the opposite goal line. As he crossed the fifty yard line, from nowhere, the quarterback who had thrown the pass caught him and brought him down. Afterward, the losing coach said that he did not understand how the boy overtook his fastest back. The winning coach said, “Well, your back was running for a touchdown—my boy was running for his life”! Motivation can make a great difference!

Each individual chooses his attitude, because he chooses what he will think about, believe and purpose. Others may physically restrain us from doing wrong, but they cannot make us worship God. Those who have no respect for God or self cannot respect others and cannot command the respect of others. We are what we are because of what we want to be!

Adam and Eve knew everything they needed to know in order to please God, and they knew the consequences of disobeying, but they sinned because they wanted the rewards of disobedience. The motivation for personal pleasure overcame the motivation to obey God. That is what sin is.

Many things may contribute to poor attitudes—evil companions, constant pressure on the job, at home or in the church, or sin in one’s life. These bad influences can be overcome by a true faith in God and a commitment to please Him. God made us creatures of choice and He holds us accountable for the choices we make, therefore it is possible for a person to overcome evil influences and be governed by proper motivations.

The basic assumptions one begins with usually determine the destination he reaches. How do we see ourselves in relation to God? How do we view sin? What is our conception of the church? Is it a resort hotel for "saints," or is it a hospital for the sick? Do we conceive of those in the church as sinners saved by grace, or as "good people" with whom we enjoy our association?

Before we moved to Lakeland, one of the men in the business meeting asked me: "What do you think is the greatest problem facing the church today?" Now, I am not an authority on such questions, and you may disagree with my answer, but my reply was that we are a "self satisfied society." Too many brethren look upon the church as a "social club" composed of good people with whom they enjoy affiliation. Basically, they conceive of it as a hotel for saints, not a hospital for the sick. If we do not consider ourselves as needing the "Great Physician," we are not apt to be longsuffering and forgiving toward others who are sick.

Let us look at some characteristics of the "resort hotel concept." You go to a hotel get away from pressure and responsibilities. It is a place for leisure and relaxation; a place where you want to leave your troubles behind. It is a place to be served. You don't have to make up the bed or clean the room; someone else is responsible for the work! You want to go home rested, relaxed and feeling good. Does this describe the attitude of many brethren toward the church?