"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 Sam 16:6

MOTIVE

                                                                        by Pete Tovey

   In our quest to mature in Christ, we are often directed to become more involved in church activities. Many of these activities consume time and are of much benefit socially, but have very little to do with maturing in Christ. Some of these activities seem very spiritual ... visitation, witnessing, missions, etc, etc..

   Often we can find ourselves under deep condemnation regarding our participation in these activities. Many become discouraged and quit attending church services. All of our involvement in these activities comes out of our being motivated "to do something for God". After a time, we find that our peace with God is based upon activities and tradition. The more involved, the more we are exalted as being a good Christian. Paul said,

"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." - Phil 3:10

   If knowing Him would become our motivation, then activity would automatically take place. Yet it would come from out of a nature which finds it very natural to do the things that please God, and not because someone has challenged us to do the things that they think would please God. It would be a life without condemnation, but with real peace and joy. How do we come to know Him? By searching the scriptures. Isn't it odd that the activities are easier than searching the scriptures? Do you know why? It's because we get the glory from the activities, and there is only unseen glory in searching the scriptures to know Him.

   If we are motivated to please God, then we will be involved in the activities regardless of their success. If, however, we are motivated by the challenge of the activities, then we will be either encouraged or discouraged by their degree of success. We would be motivated, not to please God, but, by the results of the activities. I'm very glad that none of the Apostles were result oriented, but that they desired to know Him. There is no discouragement in seeking to know Him. But the automatics of that seeking is Him being manifest in you and the mind of Christ motivating your activities, a doing which comes naturally to the son of God.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Gal 2:20

   Can you see?! Even the faith is His faith! If someone tells you that you need more faith, you tell them that you need less of your faith and more of His faith. You do live by faith, but not your faith ... His faith! It's not you that lives ... it's Him! It's not you that pleases God ... it's Him! It's not your life which will do the work of God, but His life. When you accepted Him, you accepted His life, and your old nature was put to death. It's not what you do, but who you are.

"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." - 2 Cor 5:14-17

   A new creature. Not an old creature made better, but an old creature made dead. A better translation of the word, "creature", is "creation". You are a new creation. When Christ arose, He brought forth a new creation, a spiritual creation.

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." - Gal 6:14

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." - 1 John 2:15

In both uses of the word, "world", it means, "the sum total of the material universe, the beauty in it; the sum total of persons living in the world" (Strong's # 2889). Verse 16 says, "For all that is in the world, the lust of flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." These are motivational things. If you have any motive other than to please the Father, then it is a motive that comes out of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life. A love of the world. Let's face it, most of us are motivated more by a love of the world than by the Spirit. I'm not telling you to stop it, I'm saying that you must recognize it, or you will never allow the Holy Spirit to deal with it and do away with it. Have you ever been challenged to give money, go on church visitation, work on the building? There is nothing wrong with doing these things. What was the motivation? Maybe the pride of life?

   It's not what we do, it's why we do it. If out of a love for the world, then we can be motivated by the lusts of the world and not necessarily by the Spirit of God. Can you see this? This is an areas where many Christians are deceived. Not by evil men, but by Christian leaders who do not understand verse 17, which say, "and the world passeth away, and the lusts thereof". Many believe that it is right and proper to motivate with the "lusts thereof", to challenge pride, to offer material rewards. So, money is raised, buildings are built, ministries are increased, all to the glory of God, but often God is not in any of it. Part of verse 17 says, "but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." God's will, now and forever, is the manifestation of Christ. It always has been, and always will be.

"And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season." - Luke 4:1-13

   Jesus withstood the devil's temptation - the lusts of the world. As we are conformed to the image of Christ, we too will withstand the temptation of being motivated by the lusts of the world.

   May I remind you: There are "old" things and "new" things. Old nature, old life, old creation, old motive. New nature, new life, new creation, and there is also new motive. "Old things are passed away" (2 Cor 5:17).