I think we must examine ourselves on occasion to make sure we are motivated by what would please the Lord. We should ask ourselves, why do I as Christians serve God? Why should I serve God? Many may have never paused to consider their motives. While we do not need to understand our motives in order to serve God or grow in godliness, the more we are aware of them, the better we will be able to serve God as He deserves.
- LOVE: First a love for God, a lawyer tested Jesus with this question, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments HANG ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.” (Matt. 22:36-40) “Like a door on its hinges. This summary of the moral law of God provides a crucial ENTRY POINT into Scripture as a whole and the gospel that forms its core.”
- GRATITUDE: Because we benefit from God’s actions, we may wish to respond gratefully. Our service and our lives become a “Thank You” to Him. In light of God’s blessings, we are motivated to offer our bodies to Him. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies A LIVING SACRIFICE, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but BE 1TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rom. 12:1-2) 1metamorphoō: to be transfigured or changed in form.
- ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE: We can be motivated to fulfill our longing for some significance beyond our fleshly life according to God’s original purposes. God created us to participate in His rule over the earth. “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; LET THEM HAVE DOMINION over all the earth…” (Gen. 1:26) “For we have become PARTAKERS OF CHRIST if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end…” (Heb. 3:14)
- DUTY: As Christians we should serve God because of our commitment to do so, or because we are living up to that which God has called us to. Duty does not expect a reward, but is performed out of obligation. “I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house…none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, TO TESTIFY TO THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE of God.” (Acts 20:20, 24)
LET’S MOTIVATE ONE ANOTHER TO SERVE THE LORD UNSELFISHLY…
-Bill Stockham