Motive matters. The questions swirl and settle around my feet, pulling me back. Do I reach out and help because I care and want to help? Or am I afraid of saying no, merely reacting out of obligation? Do I witness because it makes me feel more Christian somehow, or because I care for others’ salvation? Do I offer to pray because it’s expected, or because of the joy I experience when talking with my Savior? Do I study my Bible to prove a point, or because I love to fill my mind with the Word?
Am I love- or fear-based? Others-driven or others’ perception-driven? Jesus-focused or self-focused?
We often preach about standing for truth. It is, after all, what Adventists are known for. In the beginning we forged a path, discovered some unpopular truths in the Word, and stood for what was right. We are truly people of the Book. We return our tithe, observe the seventh-day Sabbath, and eat our way to health and righteousness. All of those are good things, biblical practices, godly habits. But my question has become why.
Why do we stand for truth? We must guard against the first step into apostasy. And I agree. But am I guarding to enhance my standing with others? Am I sounding the trumpet to make a name for myself? Or do I deeply love others and earnestly desire them to know Jesus and the truths in His Word for themselves?
The young man sat across from my desk, black curly hair resting on his shoulders. He was unhappy with life, unhappy with personal relationships, unhappy with work. My heart broke for his pain. After listening awhile, I ventured a question: “What would you like to do? What would make you happy, or at least give you a measure of satisfaction?”
He put his head in his hands and said the saddest words I’ve heard. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I want, I don’t know who I am, and I don’t know how to change.”
Truthfully, though, his experience matches that of many Christians. We might think we know what we want, but our motives can be so buried, so twisted, so altered by sin that we often do the right thing but for the wrong reason. We serve to be recognized, preach or sing to be applauded, or help others to ease our own conscience.
When has it ever been out of love? “By this, all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
Love awakens love.
Love produces love.
Love never fails.
God, grant me Your love so I can operate from love and give love because You are love.
