Proverbs 21:15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
Disraeli said, “Life is too short to be little.”
We often get caught up in the everyday events of life in this fast moving world. Sometimes we forget we are building our lives upon an eternal foundation. 1 Cor. 3:11 For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. We put our energies and strenuous thoughts into a comfortable retirement and forget our God-given goals of eternal reward. Oh yes, I know we have to live on this earth but we still have to choose where we want to spend eternity and what we want to give of ourselves toward the kingdom of God.
Let’s face it eternity is a long time to exist in regret or damnation for that matter. There is a day when our life’s work and for some people, their life’s ministries will be judged at the Judgment seat of Christ. What we have sown in our Christian life may not be of Godly quality or valuable. 1 Cor. 3:13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.
What were our motives for all the work done in the Lord? Was the work done to establish the kingdom of God or our own kingdom built of hay and stubble? 1 Cor. 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13a Every man’s work shall be made manifest.
We often get caught up in the everyday events of life in this fast moving world. Sometimes we forget we are building our lives upon an eternal foundation. 1 Cor. 3:11 For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. We put our energies and strenuous thoughts into a comfortable retirement and forget our God-given goals of eternal reward. Oh yes, I know we have to live on this earth but we still have to choose where we want to spend eternity and what we want to give of ourselves toward the kingdom of God.
Let’s face it eternity is a long time to exist in regret or damnation for that matter. There is a day when our life’s work and for some people, their life’s ministries will be judged at the Judgment seat of Christ. What we have sown in our Christian life may not be of Godly quality or valuable. 1 Cor. 3:13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.
What were our motives for all the work done in the Lord? Was the work done to establish the kingdom of God or our own kingdom built of hay and stubble? 1 Cor. 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13a Every man’s work shall be made manifest.
Our motives are just as important as the work itself. The Apostle Paul warns us to be aware of people whose motives are suspect. Rom. 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
In another Scripture John the Apostle warns of similar corrupted motives that are not the will of God, nor are they His motives toward the people of this earth. 3 John 1:9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. The motivational gifts God gave us are for the building of the body of Christ and not for the tearing down of it by our own misuse or misguided motives. Our motives are just as important as our heart’s desires in Christ.
In another Scripture John the Apostle warns of similar corrupted motives that are not the will of God, nor are they His motives toward the people of this earth. 3 John 1:9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. The motivational gifts God gave us are for the building of the body of Christ and not for the tearing down of it by our own misuse or misguided motives. Our motives are just as important as our heart’s desires in Christ.
We do have to ask ourselves if our modus operandi toward the works of God are led by the Holy Spirit. Is our manner, technique or approach to God’s leading just a belligerent attitude of “Take it or leave it God. You get what you get and you should be happy with that.” Is working His eternal plan just an irksome task we grudgingly slog through? If our relationship in the Lord has reached this sad point, then it is possible our motives toward eternity has already changed to a place of desperation and loss. As I said, “Eternity is a long time to suffer loss.”
Saints, we need to get our hearts back to thinking and reaching for the eternal prize and reward that awaits us. Phil. 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. The joy of the Lord is our strength and with that strength, we can enter His gates with thanksgiving in our hearts.
When our motives are clean, our ministry and calling will be joyful and motivated. Righteous motives will get the work of God done and our hearts and lives will be full of strength and joy.
The Lord tried to admonish Cain to change his motives and attitude so there would be peace in his life. Gen. 4:7 If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it. The result of Cain not submitting to God’s word was a loss of relationship with God and man. Life is too short to waste it on missing the mark God set for our well-being. What is God’s motive for mankind? That should be our motive as well. May God give us a new vision of His will. Amen!
When our motives are clean, our ministry and calling will be joyful and motivated. Righteous motives will get the work of God done and our hearts and lives will be full of strength and joy.
The Lord tried to admonish Cain to change his motives and attitude so there would be peace in his life. Gen. 4:7 If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it. The result of Cain not submitting to God’s word was a loss of relationship with God and man. Life is too short to waste it on missing the mark God set for our well-being. What is God’s motive for mankind? That should be our motive as well. May God give us a new vision of His will. Amen!
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