Sometimes the Lord parks me on a verse of a word.
I can't shake this word- MOTIVE.
Motive: definition -a reason for doing something, especially one that is hidden or not obvious.
synonyms:reason, motivation, motivating force, rationale, grounds, cause, basis, object, purpose, intention
A motive can be completely subtle or even unrecognized.
For example, a motive for exercising can be one of the following : I want to look good in a swim suit or I want to be healthy. Or a combination.
I think we are so busy we don't often think of motives.
If we slow down enough we might get scared of our motives --- why?
Many of our motives are not good and are self centered.
If you ask a student why he/she tries hard in school the student may reply "so I can get into a good college?"
But why?
"So I can get a good career "
But why?
"So I can make a good salary."
But why?
"To make money - lots of money."
Aha! That's the true motive.
In our walks with the Lord I want to challenge myself and I encourage you to challenge yourself too asking
- What's my motive? What is my reason for doing this?
Many times we do things because they are expected of us. Many times we do things because we feel the need to be accepted. But if we really truly stop and see why we do what we do--we might not see Jesus as the central reason.
Our motives can be mixed or off balance or wrong all together .
Example:
Morning devotions-
Q-Why have them?
A- I read my Bible in the morning because that's what my parents taught me to do.
A- I read devotions because it's a good way to start the day.
A- I read because I want to be a good Christian.
Now I highly encourage all parents to teach their kids to read their Bibles.
I strongly believe and agree reading the Word is the best way to start the day.
I agree that reading the Word daily is a key component to waking with the Lord and abiding and bearing fruit.
But....
The proper Biblical motive to waking up and having devotions should be
- So I can know Jesus more (Phil 3:10, Luke 10:27)
It is oh so subtle. The enemy the flesh and the world all work together to distort our views and twist our motives. (1 John 2:16)
We've got to get this right. This is super important for revival- we need to put Jesus back in the center again.
Not activities- not social clubs, not disciplines that don't have meaning -not saying one thing and doing another not saying one thing and MEANING something else - but our true motive and reason for EVERYTHING should be- TO EXALT AND GLORIFY the Name of JESUS. Phil 2:9-13
We can't miss this.
We can't do the right thing for the wrong reason. 2 Corinthians 13:5 We need to return to our first love. (Rev 2:4 NLT I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first!)
Jesus said if you have something against your brother - before you give your gift to the Lord- make up- repent- and ask for forgiveness. Matt 5:24
Why is this so important to Jesus?
Jesus always looks at the heart. ALWAYS. (See Matthew Ch 5 and Ch 6)
Matthew 6:1 "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven." NLT
Josh Bowers (Fresh Life church- from the Summer Fruit series) talked about serving out of guilt. He shared how some people serve because they feel they owe God something - "don't do God any favors" he said- the price has been paid! John 3:16, Matt11:28
For the JOY set before Him Jesus went to the cross. It is for joy. We should be motivated by love and serve out of an overflowing joy filled heart.
Hebrews 12:1-2 -Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NIV)
Notice the encouragement above is to fix your eyes on Jesus. We need to check and double check our motives.
May God give us pure hearts and may the Holy Spirit refine us and prune us so our motives are always Christ centered and not Christ sidelined.
