HAVE to v WANT to

"The Gospel has done its work in us when we crave God more than we crave everything else in life. .. It changes us from being slaves who HAVE to obey God to sons and daughters who WANT to obey God." - J D Greear - The Gospel

There has been a bit of Internet space devoted to the video produced by Jefferson Bethke - Why I hate religion but love Jesus. It has even spawned some spoofs about hating religion & JESUS.

But the two words for me sum up the difference: HAVE & WANT.

HAVE TO for me sums up religion.

I have to attend church.
I have to read my bible.
I have to pray.
I have to give money.
I have to serve in my church.
I have to tell other people about Jesus.
I have to ......

However when I encounter this glorious Gospel and it takes root in my heart I HAVE to gets replaced with I WANT TO.


I want to attend church.
I want to read my bible.
I want to pray.
I want to give money.
I want to serve in my church.
I want to tell other people about Jesus.
I want to ......

We can end up doing the same thing but the motivation is different because our heart is different.