How often have I heard this phrase, which seems to make one’s actions insignificant or hopeless? It is used for all sorts of situations. I have heard it used by a wife who feels her family does not see the value of the work she does for them in the home. A child has used it when he has tried to do right after having a reputation for disobedience. He feels no one will believe his actions in doing right are sincere. Why bother becomes the attitude of those who feel hopeless or take God’s word casually.
In speaking with a young man recently, I was told he saw no need to attend church. He believed that the church was full of hypocrites and, therefore, he was just as good as they were, so why bother to get up early on Sunday to attend church? Why bother to go to church can be answered by Hebrews 10:25. This verse teaches us that we are to go to church. It teaches us that we should be going more now than ever before because we are closer every day to the Lord Jesus coming back.
Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Another “why bother” that I hear from Christians is, why bother to pray? Since God knows everything, the past, the present, and the future, why do we need to pray? The first reason we should pray is because God commands us to pray. In I Thessalonians 5:17, we are instructed to “pray without ceasing.” Prayer is how we communicate with God. He gives us His Word to teach us and talk to us. And prayer is our way of speaking to Him. It also helps us to understand how much we are dependent on Him. Prayer is our way to block out the world and meet with Him. This will help us to understand His will for our lives.
Some wonder why we seek to live close, obedient lives to God when salvation grants us forgiveness of past, present, and future sins. If our sins are under the blood, why bother to live a holy life? Living a holy life is a testimony to those around us. It shows them who our allegiance is to. God commands us to be holy. We read this in I Peter 1:16 “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” We are to mimic the one who is our God. Holiness also keeps us from the consequences of sin. A person who never drinks alcohol never has to worry about becoming a drunk and wasting the family’s money on alcohol. The person who seeks to be holy doesn’t lie, cheat, steal, or do things that will bring harmful consequences. Living an obedient life also shows our love for our Savior. In John 14:15, Jesus says if we love him, we will obey.
John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
Why bother to study to show ourselves approved of by God. Because it is a command.
II Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Why bother to do all of these things and more that we are taught in scripture? We do them to show our love and gratitude for what God has done for us. He gave His Son so that we may be forgiven. His Son died to give us life abundantly. We bother with the things mentioned above because it yields a better life here and a perfect one to come. We do what we do because it proves who we love.
