Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
August 29, 2001 Charles Cash
The Importance of Motives
Actions speak louder than words. We are to be “doers of God’s Word, not hearers only.” Christianity is pragmatic! Demonstrable! The Lord is not only concerned with what we believe, but with how we behave. It is no less than our duty to obey, serve, and do the things God expects of us. There are times when we need to be brought face to face with plain, old-fashioned “duty.” But let us not forget “motive.” Act! Do! Perform! Serve! Accomplish! Yes to all this and much more. But remember the motive behind the act must be right.
In becoming a Christian, one “obeys from the heart,” Romans 6.17-18. The outward acts of obedience are acceptable on the basis of motivation. Read 2 Corinthians 9.7; 1 Corinthians 13.1-3; Matthew 6.1-18.
Samuel Butler once wrote, “He that complies against his will is of his own opinion still.”
How wonderful it is when people go about their Christ-ordained tasks as though it were a genuine pleasure, not simply a duty or obligation. After all, it should be a joy for us to serve God, and our fellowman. Doing things merely because we “have to” presents Christianity as an unloved and unlovely proposition.
And remember, one of the telltale indications of proper motivation is our consistency of service.
CHARLES CASH
Siloam Springs, Ark.
