May. 25, 2008
Life · Messy Christianity
What’s Your Motive?
In community group on Friday, I asked a question to the group that has been mulling around in my mind for a while: If you could change the world, but no one would know it was you, would you still do it?
What drives your life? Why are you doing what you are doing? What’s your motive?
So often we are obsessed with being the best, knowing the most, being recognized for our accomplishments. Bu to be the best means that not everyone can share that title. Some people try to make themselves appear better than they are, and most of those people just look like jerks.
In Acts 5 there is this odd little sentence where a group of people say we are not going to try and please people. We are not going to be motivated by public opinion polls, or even threats. We are going to be motivated by God and do the things that please him, even when those things are hard and they cause us to be scorned. If we have to choose between pleasing people or pleasing God we are going to please God.
Who are you seeking to please? Are you seeking to please yourself? Are you seeking to please other people, maybe a parent, or a friend? The real question is why are you seeking their approval?
At the heart of Christianity is the idea, that we are unable earn God’s approval. Instead Christ does everything for us, so that when God looks upon his people he sees the perfect work of Christ.
(Image from The path less travelled)