If a star that was 30 light years away had exploded 5 years ago—we wouldn’t notice for another 25 years! The star would look to us as if it hadn’t changed, even though it had in fact died. On earth, we would continue to see the brilliant image of its past—but the real star would be history.
Christ’s letter to Sardis was written to a church with an image problem. The Sardis church was dead, but on the outside it still looked to be alive because of its brilliant past and the good works it was carrying out.
We tend to measure the health of a church by all the activities we see going on, while God looks beyond the works to the motives. Revelation 3:1 says: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead.” Christ told the church that their actions did not “meet the requirements” of God (v.2). In other words, they were not being performed out of love for God and in obedience to Him.
Our motives are important to God! Do we carry out works to look good in the eyes of others, to overcome our feelings of guilt, or out of a sense of duty? While our outward display of actions may be enough to fool people into thinking we are committed, alive, and vibrant, they won’t fool the God who knows our hearts! Remember God’s words in 1 Samuel 16:7, “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Christ tells the few remaining believers in Sardis to wake up, strengthen, go back to what you first believed, and hold to it firmly (Revelation 3:2-3). By following that same pattern, we can make sure our lives are God-centered and our motives pure and holy.
More:
People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives (Proverbs 16:2).
Next:
What have you recently done out of selfish motivation rather than to serve God? How can you be in tune with the true motivation for your actions?
Sean on March 12, 2009 at 7:42 am
Thanks for this article, Kevin. I feel like I’m doing a ton of good things, but how man of them am I doing well? And is it about serving Jesus or am I simply trying to look good in the eyes of people. Good works should be a nature outpouring of a life that has been changed by genuine belief in Jesus—a person who has received salvation. But I recognize anew the importance of carefully considering the good things I’m doing and if they’re truly the best things I can offer to Jesus for his glory. Colossians 3:23 comes to mind.
jlabbe on March 12, 2009 at 7:45 am
Dear Lord – Examine my heart and remove any unclean thing in me. Make me aware of my motives when I do things so I can evaluate them before. Make me more like Jesus I pray. Draw on my heart to spend more time with you. Amen
cljmu on March 12, 2009 at 10:18 am
This word hit home today. I worship at a traditional baptist church where they celebrate annual days every month. Every month out of the year, one of the ministries in the church are having an annual day (ushers, trustee, deacon and deaconness, choir, etc., day). I have been pondering over this subject of annual days for sometime because I know it is not bibilical, and I wonder why are we doing it. Some say it’s traditional, other’s say it’s to raise money, but I say what does any of this have to do with learning about God. Why are we putting ourselves on a pedestal. Having an annual day to build up funds for the building fund is not appropriate excuse for me. This word reminded me of motives. What are the real motives in doing this? Would God be pleased? Thank you for this word because it gave me more insight and confirmation that practicing traditions does not always honor God, and that should be our goal.
rgmason on March 12, 2009 at 11:44 pm
I realize that our motives are very important to God. Yesterday, I wanted to do something for Him, but it did not seem to work out. My prayer was that I really wanted to do this. I pressed this issue and was able to do what I wanted. I now realize that my motive was all about my need to do it, and not about God. I sinned against Him, my motive was purely selfish. I wonder if I will ever learn. I am so thankful that God continues to forgive.
Hannah C on March 11, 2011 at 8:18 pm
What have you recently done out of selfish motivation rather than to serve God?
I confess that a three months ago, I volunteered for an office in our Church that needs help sorting out records and forms of those who want to join a small group. These are from people who expressed desire to know more about God. I volunteered because I had the necessary skills, and I wanted to be used by God in being a channel of blessing to others. However, even though I was doing this for Him, deep in my heart a small part of me felt proud because I belonged in a crucial and important group. I felt proud whenever I would tell others that I was in that group. I was hoarding all the glory, and none was going to God, which was the way it was supposed to be. I quit last month. God has been knocking on my heart loudly.
How can you be in tune with the true motivation for your actions?
I love what it said on the devotional article — we have to constantly examine our heart and check our motive. Do we carry out works to look good in the eyes of others, to overcome our feelings of guilt, or out of a sense of duty? If the answer to any of these is yes, then we have to fix things with God first. It is easy to fool the eyes of other people. They may compliment us for what we are doing, but are we really doing things to bring glory to God, or to ourselves? After all, it is not the act that pleases God, but our motive behind it. What’s in our heart? People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives (Proverbs 16:2).
Another test that I found effective for me is to ask myself this question: If God took away this ability/privilege/task from me, would I still be able to praise Him with all my heart? “…The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21)