A Jot From John - (part 1)
One of the most obvious principles stressed in the NT is the importance of right motives. The morality of religious work and worship depends upon the motives which prompt the action. No performance is brilliant in God’s sight unless it stems from sincere spiritual motives. Christians are more accountable for their motives than for anything else, since all moral behavior originates in the heart (Matt. 15:17-20). The Scottish minister, Hugh Blair (1718-1800), spoke an eternal truth when he said: “In the eye of that Supreme Being to whom our whole internal frame is uncovered, motives and dispositions hold the place of actions.”
It requires no superior intelligence to recognize that what the Lord desires is sincere devotion to his cause. Escape mechanisms which promote a compulsive retreat from the realities of life have no place in his program. The mere impartation of religious beliefs, principles, and precepts through formal instruction is not enough, for it is not sufficiently motivating to produce spiritual zeal and maturity. In order for one’s work and worship to be acceptable, certain characteristics must be present. The right things must be done; they must be done in the right way; and the right motives must be present. In other words, it is not only what you do and how you do it, but also why you do it that counts.
Motives used by men in performing religious work and worship are many and varied. Jesus denounced the vain motives which he often recognized among the multitudes of His time. “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:1). Worshippers often called attention to their alms-giving by sounding a trumpet, and in praying they stood “in the synagogues and in the corners of the street” to be seen of men. Jesus declared that they were “paid in full”; they got all that they were looking for. Their motive in each case was entirely wrong (Matt. 6:2-8).
Ambitious motives of designing men likewise felt the sting of Christ’s denunciation. Time servers and place seekers he would not tolerate. James and John once revealed that they were more interested in positions of prominence than they were in sincere devotion. When they said to Jesus: “Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on they left hand, in thy glory . . . . Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask . . . For the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:35-45).
Monetary motives also find their way into the hearts of some professing Christians. When Simon the sorcerer attempted to buy the gift of God with money, Peter said unto him: “Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God.” (Acts 8:14-24). Materialism is a constant challenge to the Christian!
Onward Rejoicing,
John B. Daniels, Associate Minister
