Some people will neglect doing good, because what prompted that good was a false motive. I have learned to thank God for using the false motive to remind me to do good. I will do the good and ask him to work on my heart so that my motivations are good as well.
You see, it is not about me or my motives, I am saved by grace. And it is grace, because my motives will never be right. If you are obsessed by being perfect, your trying to save yourself, it is a self-righteousness, and no gospel. The Gospel has faith in the work of Christ, not ones own works. We make much of Christ, not ourselves. It is about the Gospel and glorifying Christ.
I fight vigilantly against false motives, and I do plead fervently with God for pure motives, they are sweet, but my hope is not in them.
Christensen:
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you wrote, bro. What were the motives of the Apostles in joining the Messiah? Was it not to be rulers themselves? But by being with Christ, slowly, their motives changed. If they had waited for pure motives to love God, they would have never joined Yeshua. God takes us where we are and simply yearns for us to do His greatest commandment - to love Him and others (Matthew 22:37-40). Love shouldn't have the fear of punishment...or a worry of being perfect and without ulterior motives (1 John 4:18). Simply put your love out there...and let God mold you as He wishes.