Matthew 25:21 (TLV)
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful with a little, so I’ll put you in charge of much. Enter into your master’s joy!’
I often ponder, “What motivates Christians?” Maybe the question we ask ourselves is, “Do we, as a body, lack motivation? Are we living to Christ the way we should? Does the thought of the Father saying to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant” in any way inspire you? What does inspire you to go deeper in God? What motivates you each morning to pursue our Lord and Father?
I know that sometimes the business of the morning interferes with our thoughts of God. That is a shame. As much as we like our sleep we could get up 5 minutes earlier so we at least have time to say, “Good morning Father.” Even such a small and meager beginning can put our day on good footing. It’s not a big ask but what will motivate us to do it?
Theologically, much of modern preaching has to do with telling folks how good it is being a Christian or how good one’s life is and can be through walking with Jesus. Preachers’ teach the truth about healing, prosperity, peace and all the other things we pursue. This is intended to get Christians to seek a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. It is almost like we bribe the body of believers to be “good Christians”, whatever that means. This is a far cry from the fire and brimstone services of the past. Those were based in fear rather than bribery.
Is there another way? I am reading a devotional taken from a book of sermons that are from an older generation. The tone is completely different to what most of us preach today. There is much less apology and cajoling. Then I look at the Old Testament and prophet after prophet spoke the Word of the Lord to the people in convicting tones trying to get them to turn back to their God and to serve Him with all their might. That is a word we don’t use much these days, serve. Is it our duty to serve our Lord? Don’t we want to? Do you see many of us as true servants of the Lord these days? Maybe we need a good old fashion sermon about our duty to the Lord. Maybe we need some good old reverence preaching.
Our father is our best friend but He is also God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. That’s a big deal. Can you imagine making the earth? He is a powerful being and though He is benevolent, sometimes we need to look upon His magnificence and just praise Him.
Living in Christ is beneficial. Life is just better the more integrated your life is with him. That ought to motivate us to seek a deeper and stronger relationship with him. Because he gave his life for ours, maybe that is reason enough to pursue him relentlessly. Paul told Timothy to stir up the gift which was inside him. Maybe we just need to stir ourselves up a little. We can be a stronger and more united body. We can move in the power of the Lord. There is so much for us in him. Whatever motivates you, tap into it and draw closer to Father, Son and Spirit. Seek God’s face not just His hand. Call upon Him while He is near. A day is coming when you are going to need Him. Now is the time to forge that relationship with Him. Motivate yourself to go deeper in Christ and serve Him as Lord while he fills you with his goodness.
