Examine Your Motives
Examine Your Motives
By Pastor Lawrence Jackson
Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility [lowliness of mind] let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].
Philippians 2:3 Amplified
Most of us are performance oriented. It is something that we wrestle with in the discharge of our Christian duties. And while it feels good to hear words of praise most of us cannot handle the spotlight with the “lowliness” of Apostle Paul. We must be careful, however, that we don’t do what we do for acceptance and praise from others.
The Apostle Paul had mentioned this before. He said that there were some people who were preaching Christ out of envy and strife. Now he says, “Let nothing be done through strife and vainglory (KJV)”
If we could follow this injunction, I think it would solve a major percent of our problems in churches today. If you are doing something through contentions, strife or selfishness, you should not do it at all. The same is true if you expect to be recognized. One of the reasons I hate going to organizational meetings is that I get tired of people having to thank every sister, brother, preacher and deacon for doing so and so. And you don’t dare leave anyone out because if you do, you will be in trouble.
Do Christians need to be recognized and complimented and commended for things they do for Christ? “Let nothing be done from factional motives…or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance”- trying to make a name for yourself.
If this verse were obeyed, I believe it would solve the problems on most boards and committees. It would eliminate the power struggle that goes on in some churches among church officers.
Examine yourself and make sure your motives are pure. And remember only what you do for Christ will last.
Rev. Lawrence Jackson
Is The Pastor Of Growing In The Word Ministries
71405 Highway 51,Kentwood,La 70444
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I must agree with you on the statement about forgetting to recognize ever person who happened to do something for God, which was supposed to be to the glory of God , but was to the glory of that particular person. I left out somebody once and he got up and brought it to my attention. I was only “Trying” to follow what the people in that particular denomination practiced and I failed at that. So now I only give all my honor, glory and thanks to God for all things. My aim is to do what God wants me to do, when He wants me to do it and how He wants it done. When we do all that God tells us to do then it will be FOR Him and Him alone. That is the thing we must remember. WHen we put impressing others before God then we have just placed a god before our Heavenly Father God. And didn’t He tell us to have no gods before Him? So right there we have sinned, haven’t we? We must have the right motives, which will edify, uplift, encourage, or teach a brother or sister or even draw a lost one to the Lord for salvation, but all these things should be done when God gives one the unction to do it. And do all as unto the Lord. And we can be sure we want have the wrong motives. Stay blessed and continue to bless, my brother.
Evangelist Tess Turner
“Friends don’t let friends die lost.”
Thank You Evangelist Tess Turner For Sharing Your Experience With Us…May God Bless You
In All That You Do To The Glory Of Our God..