What's Our Motivation?

There was a time while growing up that my obedience to my parents was more connected to “I’d better, or else!” than it was to anything else. Through various stages of child development -- until one gains a mind that can be reasoned with -- obedience may be simply a means to avoid a slap on the hand, a swat on the seat, or (as one gets older) getting grounded. Such a perspective makes obedience seem like a good choice. However, when this is the case, where is the motivation for consistent obedience when parents (or other authority figure) are not around?

As I grew older I developed a greater appreciation for my parents and their wisdom. I began to recognize that in spite of their being imperfect as all human beings are, they lovingly had my best interests in mind both physically and spiritually. Such a realization steers toward the development of a desire to obey because the RELATIONSHIP IS IMPORTANT; acting out of LOVE rather than having to be coerced by the fear of punishment. Should this not be our focus with regard to maturing spiritually and the manner in which we respond to our Heavenly Father?

In Paul’s letter to the church at Rome he made the following observation.
“(17) But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin HAVE BECOME OBEDIENT FROM THE HEART to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, (18) and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” ( Romans 6:17-18 ESV)

I have drawn a red heart beside verse seventeen in my Bible. The response of those at Rome to the teaching they had received was an OBEDIENCE “FROM THE HEART.” That is what God desires because LOVE is a powerful motivator. Though God has awesome power to fear, He wants us to recognize the great love He has for us so that we will respond with the same. Are we continuing to NURTURE THAT HEART CONNECTION?

John wrote. . .
“(18) There is no fear in love, but PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR. For FEAR HAS TO DO WITH PUNISHMENT, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (19) We love because he first loved us.” ( 1 John 4:18-19 ESV)

To nurture our LOVE FOR GOD AND HIS WILL is the best means for providing the most consistent motivation for life we can have. Since He loved us first, is not LOVE the most appropriate response and motivation for obedience as we seek to please Him in all things? May we continually allow our HEART CONNECTION with God to be the incentive for all we do and say.

Have a great day WITH LOVE FOR GOD BEING LIFE’S DRIVING FORCE!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Obedience