A Jot from John
What is a motive? That which causes motion; the secret spring of action; the purpose behind the deed. It is with the motive in the heart that God is chiefly concerned. (See Matthew 5:8; 6:1.) Let us take a look at some motives which move people to follow the Christ.
Fear Of Punishment: Many are serving the Lord merely through fear of punishment. The Bible appeals to this motive. (Psa. 9:17; Luke 13:3; 2 Thess. 1:5-10.) Yet, he who follows the Lord merely because he fears the consequences of sin renders poor service, in other words, the service of a cowardly servant.
Hope Of Reward: The desire and expectation of attaining a reward is a powerful incentive in the heart of man. The Bible appeals to this motive. (Matt. 25:21; Heb. 4:9; Rev. 2:7-10.) God pity the person in whose soul no hope is found, or from whose soul hope has fled! The wounded of a defeated army soon die; the wounded of a victorious army laugh at their wounds and soon recover. (Heb. 6:19.) “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast . . .” This is a higher motive than fear, yet it is not the highest. He who acts from this motive only is selfish, mercenary. Imagine the son who refuses to work for his father without the promise of pay! (Matt. 19:27.) “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee;”
Sense Of Duty: When Lord Nelson appealed to his troops, “England expects every man to do his duty,” he was making an appeal to this motive. This, also, is a Bible motive. “Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” (Eph. 6:1.) Many serve Christ merely from a sense of duty. Though this is a high motive, it is not the highest. Imagine a young man going to see his loving mother merely through a sense of duty!
Gratitude: Many serve God through love and gratitude. It was this motive that moved the Master, Paul, John and others. (Rom. 12:1.) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” This is the highest motive because it is God’s motive. Love for man actuates all that he does for him. We are most like our heavenly Father when we serve him through love. (1 John 4:19.) The person who is motivated by this principle makes the best, the happiest servant. Love takes from duty its burden and makes it a delightful thing. (1 John 5:3). “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
Illustration: We can see two wells. Before one gives forth its water, it has to be pumped and pumped and pumped. But the other gives forth its water freely – of its own accord. Some Christians are like the first well – before they render service, they have to be urged and urged and urged. Other Christians are like the second well – motivated by love in their heart, they serve the Lord freely – of their own accord.
John B. Daniels, Associate Minister
