Motive: "a reason for doing something, especially one that is hidden or not obvious"
If you are claiming Christ via new life and the biblical gospel ( see the gospel at the end of this article ) I would ask what are your motives in your daily service to God?
Do you do all that you do for the glory of God first & most or do you have OTHER motives in mind? Sadly, many people I have met in my years of fellowship/ministry are acting out as a biblical believers outwardly but; secretly are really trying to woo a spouse, just trying to look more holy, get monetary help, go along with a certain religious group, get points for their salvation or maintain a man made religious family status. None of there are acceptable as God knows and wants us to serve him with PURE MOTIVES if we are truly blood bought and His amen?
Example: when I go out witnessing to the lost world: *do I do it because I like exposing others sin*do I feel superior over the lost *do I get pride out of it all thinking I am better
I need to repent if any of those reasons are included in my proclaiming the gospel.
Another example:I get many emailing me about what I teach but they are all about defending their pet doctrine or excusing their sins, not about truth. Is that a good motive for God? No, it is a selfish / sinful motive they need to repent of.
What is causing you to do what you do for God?
Let's see some scripture that can be related to motives so we can test ourselves and our service to God:
Matt 5:8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Psalm 66:18If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Psalm 106:8Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
1 Cor 10:31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Isa 43:7Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
1 Peter 4:11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Prov 20:27The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
Proverbs 21:2 - Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Galatians 1:10 - For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 - But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
Philippians 2:3 - [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Matthew 6:1 - Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
1 Timothy 1:5 - Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and [of] a good conscience, and [of] faith unfeigned:
1 Samuel 16:7 - But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
1 Corinthians 4:5 - Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts:
1 John 3:12 - Not as Cain, [who] was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 - Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.
Proverbs 16:2 - All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
1 John 4:1 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Colossians 3:17 - And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Obviously God's Word is clear and we need to have good and pure motives or we are not really serving God but ourselves or others most of all!
Isn't that really just idolatry, serving ourselves or others before God?
The question I leave you with is will you continue to do what you do for God daily if; NOT ONE soul acknowledges you, you do not impress others, you get no gain from it with others and everyone would turn against you? This question will test your own motives...
Apostle Paul warns of men's works being burned up as they were done with the wrong motives in 1 Cor 13:3 .
Will that happen to you or to me? I pray not...
Ponder that deeply will you and let me know how I can help you serve God in spirit and truth John 4:24 with proper motives.
Let us know how we can help you in the biblical faith? See our MANY biblical resources below to assist you.
God be praised
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