Motivation

There are so many people that talk about things. We argue about things. We have meetings about things. We talk about movies. We talk about music. We argue about what is ‘good’ music or ‘bad’ music, or movies, or books…blah, blah, blah. We talk about what motivates us, or what inspires us.

But, what does motivate us? Money? Power? Hate? Revenge? Or are you motivated by the desire to make yourself acceptable? Acceptable to whom? Man? God?

Maybe you’re motivated by the desire to control others. They aren’t acting the way I think they should act so I’ll use guilt, condemnation, threats, or religion to control their behavior. We make statements like, “This is what you should be doing,” or “You shouldn’t be doing that.”

We say that if you do this or that, “You will be good.” But we forget, “There is none good, no not one.” Jesus told the rich young ruler, “You lack one thing, sell all you have and come follow me.” Our personal righteousness is our idol. We trust more in our behavior than in what Jesus did, once, for all, on the cross of Calvary. Then we turn around and treat people based on our personal ‘holiness’ or ‘righteousness.’

Maybe we seek recognition or acclaim. We want people to think we’re great. We want to be famous. We strive and sacrifice for that hint of glory. But Jesus told His servants, “So likewise you, when you shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”

Yet there will be those that stand before God and say, “Hey, did we not do many wonderful things in Your name?” What were they doing, and why were they doing it? Did they trust in Christ or in their ‘wonderful things?’ God sees the motives of the heart.

Who are the ‘good’ or ‘great’ people of God? They are the people who are living their lives not seeking recognition. They are the sheep that Jesus said, “Come into my kingdom faithful servant…” Who answer back, “When did we do these things?” They lived their lives of love. They were led by the Spirit, but have been unaware. Who knows, maybe they were “angels unaware” that are spoken of. These are people who know that God has accepted them because of what Jesus has done on the cross and now love from a free heart. They go the extra mile, not because it’s ‘commanded,’ but because it is a part of who they are in Christ.

What is our duty? What is required of us? “This is the first and greatest commandment. Love God with all your heart, mind, body and soul. The second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Love should be the motivator – love for God and love for your neighbors. ‘Therefore abide these three, faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Faith saves us and makes us acceptable to God. For by grace we are saved through faith, and not of works, lest any man should boast.

Hope sustains us. In the trials of life, knowing that this is not all there is and that God loves us so much He opened the door for us, He made the Way for us. He gave His life for us. It strengthens and sustains us.

But it is love that is the greatest. For this is how we share Christ with the world, by the love we have one for another.

May the Grace of Christ fill your life,
DJ GlenMC