The following is from an article I did for the South Bend, Indiana edition of Examiner.com.

The Blind Side is based on the story of Michael Oher, a poor African-American boy who struggled with school and was raised for years in the foster system. Through a series of circumstances, Oher is admitted to Briarcrest Christian School, and ends up being accepted into the white, affluent Tuohy family.

Most of the film involves Michael's struggle to improve his grades and learn the game of football. He eventually is able to play for, and graduate from, the University of Mississippi. In 2009, he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens. But none of these events are the climax of the movie.

Michael's greatest challenge, as presented in the film, is when he is interviewed by a representative of the NCAA. It seems not everyone believes the Tuohy's motives were based entirely on Christian charity. Did these Ole Miss boosters have an ulterior motive in raising this boy and providing a tutor so he could raise his grades enough to qualify to play football?

Even the Tuohy's themselves have a moment of self-doubt when this is brought up. And this idea, no matter how unwarranted in the Tuohy's case, should give Christians pause. What is our motivation for the good we do for others?

Sometimes Christians give the impression that the only reason they would do good for someone else is because they are trying to recruit people to their "team." Certainly those who believe the Bible would legitimately be pleased to see others come to faith in Christ.

But, is our motivation to see lives changed for the better, or that our lives would be easier because there are more people who think like us? Are we more concerned about the spiritual condition of people around us, or who they will vote for in the next election? Or, do we stop being "nice" to people if it is obvious they will never accept our Lord?

Here is what Jesus had to say:

I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? (Matthew 5:44-47 NKJV)

The Blind Side becomes available today on DVD and Blu-ray.