Our motives matter to God.
He’s sees right through our disguises.
For instance, as a Christian it would be very easy to disguise my selfishness and fear as a desire to be in a small, intimate Church. We could hide behind the Bible verse that says “God is love” and excuse our desire for a small church as all about love and knowing everyone, just like God knows everyone.
And, it would be easy to disguise my competitive spirit, greed, & pride, as evangelism and church growth. It would be easy to have the ends justify the means. We could say, look how big my church is, God must be so proud of how many people attend my church. We could excuse our sin by disguising it as evangelism.
It doesn’t matter what people believe our motives to be, only what God already knows our motives are.
I’m a “Why Guy”. When was the last time you really did a self-aware check? When was the last time you got in a closet with God and spoke to him about your motives?
Why do you do what you do? God knows, but do you?
We cannot be fake with God. Someday we will all stand before Him…
intellectually naked — emotionally exposed — physically insufficient.
Don’t fear it….be ready for it.
Remember that nothing can separate you from the love of God.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38
And Jesus said,
“If you love me, obey my commandments.” John 14:15
Do not forget that Hell is full of people whom God loves. God didn’t send them to Hell, he only honored their choice to not obey Him. He honored their motives. Our motives matter to God. Are your motives about humbly serving, loving, and obeying Jesus?
Let’s triple check our motives. If you are ashamed of what you find, then never forget that…
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
If Jesus is who He says He is…then He is returning someday…with passion…to settle the score once and for all.
Don’t screw around with Him and your eternity simply because of the shallowness of the temporary.
Motives matter.
Know your motives.
God will not control your motives.
He left that up to your own stewardship and care.
God will honor your choices that are born out of your motives.
Your motives will lead to your choices, and your choices will be extended by God into eternity.
Heaven and Hell are in the balance. Eternity is at stake. For your eternity’s sake, check your motives.