A Lesson in Motives

"Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done." - 1Corinthians 3:13

Believer, a day is coming when your works will be tried by fire. Will they be as fine gold and silver, or as wood and stubble? Christian, have you considered the motive for your striving? Well might you say, "I do what I do that the Lord may be glorified." Yet, have come to understand that the Lord does not need you? More yet, have you yet come to see that "without Christ you can do nothing" (John 15:5)? Your very life is in the hand of the Lord, and not one breathe of yours is independent of his sovereign will. You who cannot even breathe on your own, what can you do for God, or what can you give that he may repay you (Rom 11:35)? You will do well to mediate on Christ' words in John 15 and verse 5! Having said all of that, I want you to know that I do not write this to quench your fire, or discourage you from your responsibilities to the Lord. As it is written..."For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Eph 2:10). Nevertheless, I write this in the hopes that you may consider your motives. In speaking of the false teaches of his day, Christ said: "they do their works to be seen by others." Yet even I - a believer no less - have been guilty of this. I have been guilty of doing work for the Lord, albeit even good works, yet have greatly neglected him. Countless times have I told men to pray, yet I myself have failed to pray. I have witnessed to many men, and told them to read their bibles. Yet even in this, I have played the hypocrite. Oh Christian, consider your motives!

By the grace of the Lord, I have learned some great lessons. First, I have learned that there has never been a great man of God. Rather, there have only been weak and pathetic sinners whom God has been pleased to save and use to display his glory. This has been a great lesson for me, as I no longer look to men as ones in whom I should emulate. Now I only look to Christ. Even more, I now realize that as God's son, I am not loved more or less for what I do or don't do, but am loved as Christ because of what Christ accomplished alone. No longer am I deceived into thinking that my doings for God will make me more acceptable in his eyes; now I know that I am accepted in the beloved - and that because of what he accomplished on my behalf. This has been revolutionary for me, as it has freed me from my striving for God's approval, and my striving with wrong motives. Second, I have learned that the great things in the Christian faith is not necessarily dying as a missionary, or even having the opportunity to do full time ministry. The great things of God are recorded in 1 Thessalonians 4, verses 3 and 4.

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor." This extends to all areas of life; from how you work to how you interact with others. I have learned that the great things of the Lord entail being faithful in the little things. Therefore, I resolve to be a good worker. I aim to always be on time, and to work hard as working onto the Lord. Furthermore, I aim to be a good son and brother and friend and church member. I practice self-denial, and beat my body into submission that I may be holy onto the Lord. This is Christianity. As it is written, "if any man would be my disciple, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matt 16:24). Learning this has put things into perspective for me, as I have not only realized that God does not need me to speak in churches or doing street evangelism (although he graciously allows me these luxuries), but that it would be sin for me to do these things without first aiming to, and yet mastering, the things aforementioned. Finally, I have learned perhaps the greatest lesson of all.

I have learned, and am still learning, the importance of humility and the folly of pride. I have considered well the implications of Paul's words to the Corinthians. For in those words, I learned that it is God who makes me to differ from another, and those differences, whatever ability or attribute they may be, is given by God. Therefore, it is incredible inane for me to boast as if I have in and of myself produced whatever I may be good at (1 Cor 4:7). Oh what great a lesson this was, and I thank my God for having taught it to me! Finally believer - and I write this to the many young Christians I know - let me leave you with a last word of encouragement. As you already know, "only what is done for Christ will last." Therefore, I encourage you to take chances, and to witness, and to dream great dreams! Yet in saying this, I not only want you to consider your motives, i.e., why it is you desire doing great things, but to truly understand that being faithful, and having contentment, is indeed great gain! So all that being said, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink or play sports or witness or teach, or whatever else, do it all to the glory of God! In this the promise is given - and I am speaking of seeking God's glory as described in Matthew 6:33 - "all that you ask will be given you" (Matt 7:7).

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