Motivating My Motives

I am certain that God uses our everyday life experiences as a testing ground for the Word to shape us into Christ's image (Romans 8:29). This probably isn't a big revelation to you, but unifying my heart and actions is no easy job. It's more like a rubix cube. In the OT bringing a sacrifice wasn't good enough unless it was accompanied by a heart that desired to worship the Lord God. Today, sitting in church on Sunday morning isn't good enough either unless it is motivated by a heart, which longs to be acceptable to God and learn from the preaching of God's Word. I find this truth extremely easy to preach, but harshly convicting in the area of pastoral ministry.

To prove my point, let me ask a question: How much of what you do is motivated out a real desire to please God and love others? Or are you prone (as I am) to seek to please others and be loved by them in return for your efforts? The problem you'll notice is that the second philosophy exalts man and forgets God. Isn't this Paul's personal struggle in Gal. 1:10?

The pastor's plight is this. Our ministry is people. We want people to believe in Jesus Christ. We plead for faithful believers. We encourage disheartened church members. We counsel desperate marriages. The trick is to constantly work with people but consistently focus on our Lord.

When we fail, manmade motives replace the Spirit of God in our lives and preaching. Consider Bryan Chapell's comment as an example: “Make sure that you motivate believers by grace, not guilt….For many preachers this is a particularly difficult imperative because they have been motivated by guilt so much in their own experience that they have no real concept of what else could motivate people to serve God. In fact, they fear that without guilt they will have no real leverage to induce obedience.” (Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching - p. 208).

Match My Challenge

Before every task ask Paul's question, "Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?" That's right! Before every card, email, sermon, visit, phone call, prayer, conversation or decision motivate your motives.