Is it better to do the right thing for the wrong reason or the wrong thing for the right reason?
Answer: neither.
Scripture shows clearly that God cares not only what we do but why we do it, that we believe and what/who we belive in.
Mt 23:23 - Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
Notice the phrase "These you ought to have done" and that justice and mercy and faith were also matters of the law.
Mt 23:25 - Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. (26) Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Notice the word "also". Yes we can be overzelous for the letter of the law (I think that's why Jesus warned us to beware the leaven of the Pharisees) but that doesnt diminish the law
The Pharisees had the outward appearance of orthodoxy but inwardly they ignored the word of God.
Isa 29:13 - Therefore the Lord said: "Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Is it important what we believe? Just do a word search on "believe" in the new testament. (there are 16 references in John's gospel alone)
Is it important that this belief changes how we behave and how we think? Joh 3:3 - Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (3:7) Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
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