If you’ve ever watched an actor at work or tried acting yourself, you may have heard the expression, “What’s my motivation?” It’s a question that’s an important part of method acting, for one’s motivation will lead to it being done well.
One might ask the same question of the apostle Paul. When he wrote that he and others “[worked] hard to persuade others” (2 Corinthians 5:11), what was his motivation? Was it anger and resentment against those who dishonored Christ and persecuted the church? Or was it competition—that he felt the need to shout all the louder due to the vast amount of ideologies and beliefs of the time? Or was it fear, seen in verse 2 Corinthians 5:11 where he said he owed “a fearful responsibility to the Lord”?
No, Paul made it crystal clear that above all else his motivation was love. He writes in 2 Corinthians 5:14 and in the following verses that it was Jesus’ love, so perfectly demonstrated on the cross that controlled or compelled him to share the gospel with others.
This is a crucial reminder to all of us, for our modern context is not much different from Paul’s. Our culture is filled to overflowing with beliefs and philosophies, many of which are opposed to the way of Christ. And in such a context, it’s easy for us to be motivated in our Christian life by anger or competition, a desire to simply win rather than winning others over.
Our motivation should always be the same as Paul’s. As it says so perfectly in 1 John 4:19, “We love each other because he loved us first.” And even more, we read in Romans 5:8 that God Himself is motivated by love.
It’s never anger nor hate but love—love that flows from God Himself—that compels us to shout His goodness to all who would hear!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Nehemiah 2:1-20
More:
Read John 13:34-35 and John 15:12 to see how Jesus connects His love for us with our love for others.
Next:
Why do you suppose it’s better and even healthier to be motivated by love than by any other emotion or compulsion? Do you ever feel yourself being motivated more by anger or competition than by love? What do you think is the reason?
daisymarygoldr on April 29, 2015 at 1:04 am
It’s true that some preach out of wrong motives. That does not bother me as long as Christ is preached. Those who preach out of anger, or to compete are not false teachers that preach another gospel of philosophy, psychology, or positive self-improvement sermons. In Philippians 1:18, Paul says, it doesn’t matter whether the motives are false or genuine. The message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice.
lccbus07 on April 29, 2015 at 9:23 am
Good Morning, I wanted you to know how much I appreciate your phone app. Many times when I get down in the Valley I can turn on my phone and listen to the comments and especially the prayer and get uplifted by the message. I have been reading the Daley Bread for many years. When My son left for the Army in 1987 there was a special message in the daily bread that day that day. I read that many times over the years and finally wore out that little book. God’s Word never gets old or goes out of date. Thank you for your continued work with this ministry.
Tom Felten on April 29, 2015 at 9:45 am
Good thoughts, Peter. As we present the truths of Scripture with love and civility, God is honored and the beauty of His love flowing through us is seen!
Mike Wittmer on April 29, 2015 at 11:00 am
Thank you, Peter. It’s easy to even serve Jesus from selfish motives. May we love others as God has loved us (1 John 4:20-21)