Why Do You Do What You Do? Discovering the More Excellent Way

Have you ever gone through the "why" stage? You know, when children repeatedly ask "why" to everything you say? "Time to get up." "Why?" "Can I have some of that?" "No." "Why?" While this questioning can test our patience as parents, there's profound wisdom in asking ourselves this simple question: Why do I do what I do? The motivation behind our actions matters more than we might realize. Jesus taught this in the Sermon on the Mount when He elevated the law beyond mere external compliance to the internal condition of our hearts. It's not just about what we do—it's about why we do it.

The Problem of Self-Serving Motivations

When I preach, I know I'm being evaluated. People sometimes offer feedback—"Great sermon!"—or their silence might suggest it wasn't my best effort. If I'm not careful, my motivation for preaching can shift from communicating God's Word to seeking positive feedback from people. The same applies to our music ministry. While playing on key and singing well are important, our motivation shouldn't be to impress others with our talents. And this principle extends beyond church activities—why do you help your neighbor? Is it to be liked? To make new friends? Too often, our hearts get wrapped up in doing good things for the wrong reasons. We want to be liked, noticed, or feel good about ourselves. But whenever we make something about us, we're in a bad place. Because here's the truth: It's not about you, it's not about me. It's all about Him.

The Corinthian Challenge

This is exactly the problem Paul addressed in 1 Corinthians. The Corinthian church was deeply flawed—there was division, disorder in worship, and misuse of spiritual gifts. In chapter 11, they were turning communion into a party, excluding some members from the meal. By chapter 12, some were even saying "Jesus is accursed" while claiming to exercise spiritual gifts! They were especially excited about the showy, public gifts. But Paul reminds them in 1 Corinthians 12:7 that "the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit"—not for personal gain but for the benefit of others. He compares the church to a body where each part has its function, but no part should claim superiority or inferiority.

A More Excellent Way

In 1 Corinthians 12:31, Paul writes, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." That more excellent way is love. In the first three verses of chapter 13, Paul makes a stunning declaration: without love, eloquence is nothing, prophecy is nothing, knowledge is nothing. Even if you give everything away or sacrifice your life, without love as your motivation, it profits nothing.

Why Love Is Superior to All Other Gifts

1. All Other Gifts Are Temporary

"Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away" (1 Corinthians 13:8). The word "fail" here doesn't mean failing versus succeeding—it refers to stopping or ending. Love doesn't end, but prophecy, tongues, and knowledge will all come to an end. The older I get, the more I realize how temporary things are that I once thought permanent. I was recently playing music for my kids from my past, and I realized that the penny is being discontinued in 2026. Some children will never know what a penny is! Things that seem permanent often aren't. But there will never be a time when love is not relevant, needed, expected, and appropriate. Love is bound to the eternal nature of God. It always translates, it's always relevant, and it's never going away.

2. All Other Gifts Are Partial

"For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away" (1 Corinthians 13:9-10). Paul isn't saying these gifts are unimportant—he's saying they're incomplete. Knowledge and prophecy are vital, but they're partial. We only know what God has revealed to us. What is "that which is perfect"? The Greek word here is "teleios," meaning complete or mature. I believe Paul is referring to the completed Scripture. Just as James 1:25 speaks of "the perfect law of liberty," and 2 Peter 1:19 calls Scripture "a more sure word of prophecy," God's Revelation progressed from the partial Revelations given to the apostles and prophets to the complete written Word we now have. One day, when we see Jesus face to face, we will "know as we are known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). But for now, we have God's complete written Revelation—"the perfect law of liberty."

3. All Other Gifts Are Inferior

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity" (1 Corinthians 13:13). Even faith and hope are temporary! One day, faith becomes sight, and our hopes will be fulfilled. We won't need to hope anymore when we experience what we've been waiting for. But love will remain. The Corinthians were emphasizing the showy gifts because they wanted recognition. They were putting themselves ahead of others. The world says, "The problem is you don't love yourself enough." That's not true. The problem is we love ourselves too much.

Life Application: Love as the Bullseye

If your "why" is only about you, then you're not loving. And if you're not loving, you're missing the Mark.

• What should I do in my marriage? Love.
• What should I do with my kids? Love.
• What should I do in the church? Love.

We all have different gifts, but they should always be motivated by love for God and others. I should serve because I love God who sent His Son to die for me. And if God loved me like that, then I need to love others the same way. The order is clear: Jesus, then others, then me. I don't come first or even second—I come last.

The Good News of God's Love

If this standard of love seems impossible, that's because it is—on our own. We've all failed to love perfectly. But here's where the gospel comes in. On the cross, we see both God's holiness and His love displayed. He's so holy that sin must be punished, and He's so loving that instead of putting us to death, He put His Son to death. Jesus lived a life of perfect love, and through faith in Him, God gives us Christ's righteousness while placing our sin on Him. When we're saved, God enables us to love others through the fruit of His Spirit. If you haven't experienced this saving love, God is offering you Jesus' righteousness so you can be forgiven. It's not just something to know about—it's something to believe in and trust. The secret to a fulfilled life isn't putting yourself first. As Jesus said, "He who loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it" (Mark 8:35). The people who are most loved are those who give the most love. Why do you do what you do? Make sure your answer is: "Because I love God and I love others."