What is your motive?

Dearly beloved, I trust this finds you well and bubbling in the Lord. When Paul was in prison, he wrote a letter to the Philippians assuring them that what has happened to him had helped to boost the Gospel. He noted that people had received courage because of his imprisonment to preach the Gospel. Hallelujah. But he noted too that there were two sets of people, having different motives for preaching the gospel. He writes “Some, it is true, [actually] preach Christ (the Messiah) [for no better reason than] out of envy and rivalry (party spirit), but others are doing so out of a loyal spirit and goodwill. The latter [proclaim Christ] out of love, because they recognize and know that I am [providentially] put here for the defense of the good news (the Gospel). But the former preach Christ out of a party spirit, insincerely [out of no pure motive, but thinking to annoy me], supposing they are making my bondage more bitter and my chains more galling” (Philippians 1v15-17, AMPC).

Even today, we have those who do not preach the Gospel and those who are amongst believers who do not have pure motives. 2 Corinthians 2v17 (AMPC) says “For we are not, like so many, [like hucksters making a trade of] peddling God’s Word [shortchanging and adulterating the divine message]; but like [men] of sincerity and the purest motive, as [commissioned and sent] by God, we speak [His message] in Christ (the Messiah), in the [very] sight and presence of God.” Jesus had the purest of motives – and we are encouraged to learn from Him and have His mind. Philippians 2v3-7 says “Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.

Prayer

Father we thank You for Your Word. We pray You will search us and know us, try us and know our anxious thoughts, see if there is any impure motive in us or anything that displeases You, and lead us in the right path in Jesus name, amen. We take on the mind of Christ, the mind of humility, reverence for God, service for humanity, and love in Jesus Christ. Thank You for the Spirit of Christ lives in us as children of God. Help us to walk in the Spirit so that we do not fulfil the lusts of the flesh, in Jesus name we pray, amen.

Separately, only children of God have the Spirit of Christ and are able to live a life that pleases God. If you find that you want to do the right thing, but constantly fail, God has made a way for you through Jesus Christ. He was the one who hadn’t sin, but died for us that we can be made right with God. The question for you is if you will receive this sacrifice. If you would like to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, and you want to have a relationship with Him.

The Bible says:

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”  Romans 10v9-10 (NIV)

You can say this prayer: Heavenly Father, I come to You today, confessing that I am a sinner. I am sorry for all that I have done and ask that You forgive me for all of my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Lord Jesus, I ask that You be Lord and Saviour over my life. I believe that You came to die for my sins, and that God raised You from the dead. Thank You Father for translating me out of the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Your dear Son. Thank You for sealing me with Your Holy Spirit of promise. Please keep me till the end in You, and may Your Name alone be glorified in my life, in Jesus name I pray, amen.

If you said this prayer today, know that you are now a child of God and that there is much jubilation in heaven because of you. Begin to attend a Bible-believing church, and keep the faith! Welcome to God’s family.