As we learn to look at ourselves from God’s point of view, we must ask the question "why"? Why do we do the things we do? What is our motive?
This is hard for us to discern. We are all actors. We have been trained to act out our faith in our churches, schooling and classes like this one. Some of us are faking it.
We all have a front stage life, but there’s also a backstage life that we hide from the world. We want to carefully manage how we are perceived, hence the act.
We must come to understand that the Lord judges us based on our true motives, and He may choose to place us in places of service based on our motives. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. I Sam. 16:7
The Lord is kind and gentle and he never forces the curtain open. In order for our motives to be exposed, we must open the curtain ourselves. (Become transparent!)
Whatever our true motive is, He knows and judges the quality of our service based on our motives.
It has been said that there are three motives and that explains everything we do. This is a motivational model and it is theoretical. However, I believe it holds up under scriptural scrutiny. Check it out as we walk through the scripture together.
The first and base form of motives is fear. It begs the question “what I might loose?” In the New Testament, the words “fear not” are used over one hundred times indicating that the Lord does not intend for us to operate on this level. “For He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind.”
Working with those that are fear motivated is a devastating experience. They only work when watched or threatened.
The next level of motivation is hope. This begs the question “what I might gain?”
It is on this motive that the entire free market system is built . The profit motive is good when it’s kept in balance. The motive of hope can be used of the Lord to get us moving in the right direction, but Satan can also use it. If it’s only “ what’s in it for me,” that’s a very dangerous motive and can move us into some very dangerous activities.
The highest motive is love. It answers the question “What can I give?” There should be a natural love in the family. Who can’t love a newborn child? We naturally love our parents and siblings, yet in the last days, the Bible teaches that man will be devoid of natural affection. Perhaps we are there now.
The love we are speaking of is supernatural. This is the Holy Spirit loving others through us. It is characterized by giving. Giving our very lives in service to others.
Let's look at three episodes in the life of Jesus to see how this plays out in a very familiar passage. Matt. 19...the encounter with the rich young man. When he addressed Jesus, Jesus responded "you are calling me good but are you willing to call me God?" in essence. Then he follows up with a directive, a test also regarding keeping the commandments...verse 18-20.
The young man was good and Jesus loved him. The statement points out the danger of being good without God. Then the young man opens the curtain to the back stage of his life. As Jesus looks into the man’s life he sees the throne of his life or basis of his motives. 19:21 Jesus saw something else on the throne of this man’s life. It was his money for he was very rich. Unless he was willing to put Jesus on the throne, he was caught up in the love of money. Unfortunately, the young man went away sorrowful...verse 22.
19:23-26
Yes with man this is impossible. First of all at salvation, we must say to God, I can’t save myself, but you can. With God all things are possible. HIMpossible!!! "Father I can’t do this,but you can – You can do it through me. He wants to be our life. He wants to use us to do His work here on earth. Only He must do it or it’s of no value in His kingdom’s work.
What is impossible is HIMpossible!
Matthew 19:27-30 Now Peter gets into the picture and exposes his motive. He is purely interested his personal benefit. What am I going to get out of all this sacrifice?
Then Jesus uses that phrase that has stumped so many, the last being first and the first being last. What could he mean by this?
He’s saying: Peter some of you who came first have poor motives and some who have come later or will come later have pure motives and can be put in the first places of service because of their pure motives. He wants to make this point so thoroughly that he goes on into the next chapter [division here is purely arbitrary] and tells the parable of the vineyard to drive the point home.
Matt 20:1-20
In this passage Jesus is pointing out that the vineyard and the owner are like unto the kingdom of God. The owner goes out to hire workers for the day before the workday begins. The important point is that he makes an agreement with them to work the day for a certain amount. It is as though they have a contract.
Throughout the day, other workers appear and the owner says just go on in and work, and at the end of the day, whatever is right you will receive. They went in totally on faith in the integrity of the owner.
At the end of the day the owner started to pay all the workers, starting with the last. [last shall be first] he paid all those who went in the vineyard late [some working only one hour] the full days wage. And worked his way up to those who had worked a full day. Of course they were indignant that they didn’t receive more. They were saying, “we’ve been toiling in the hot sun all day long, and yet you give those who only worked one hour in some cases the same wages.” In this day, you could be sure of a labor union organization attempt.
Now we hear that strange saying again and this entire parable is to explain it. The last shall be first and the first shall be last. Some of you came because of a bargain that is what you could get out of it. Your motive was what you could get. But others come purely in faith, trusting the Lord. Their motive was simply what they could give with no expectations. Just simply trusting the Lord. [owner]
Many are called {for salvation} but few are chosen for places of service based on their pure motives. [BEMA}
Is this how we deal with the Lord? Do we bargain with him and demand our contractual rights or do we trust him and seek to serve him and others as he directs?
Lets put it this way. How many times have you demanded the small stuff and the Lord had greater blessings right there? Why not move up to the motive of Love...What can I give?
Now for the third event in this rich portion of scripture.Matt. 20:20-28
Once again we see the motive of “what can I get out of this prominently displayed.
Jesus answered kindly the mother of the two sons. He explains that the Father will determine those places of prominence.
The other disciples are indignant about this and Jesus once again explains the way things are to be in his kingdom’s work. He explains that in the world, those in authority exercise great authority and rule with force and intimidation. Threats and sarcasm are the way things are done.
Christ's work is opposite. He that would be greatest would be servant of all! This is the basis of servant leadership and it has to do with motive. When we lead and our motive is to give, we must serve—we serve our associates, our family, our customers, our shareholders, and our fellow church members. The words “I’m in charge here!” are never uttered.
Then Jesus drops the ultimate illustration, which they did not fully understand at that time. Jesus came not to be served but to serve others and ultimately to give his life for us! He gave his life to serve us. He gave us the Holy Spirit so that we can do his work right now—right here, When He ascended, the Holy Spirit came and now is in all Christians. It is His spirit that gives us the capacity to give, to love and then to do his will with the pure and high motive—what can I give?
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