Ring that bell

     I listened to this powerful message this morning, and it brought tears to my eyes. Listen to it, and let God speak to your heart. It is so easy to get caught up in our lives and lose sight of what God has really called us to. Christianity is so much more than going to church once or twice a week, and having our bible reading plans and such. These things are good and have their purpose, but there is something lacking in so many of our lives. I believe it is a consuming passion for the souls of our fellow man. How much would we endure for Christ? How far are we willing to go to see the world around us reached with the good news of new life in Christ? Listen to this sermon and be blessed!  Ring that bell

What Motivates You?

     Two individuals doing the same "good work." One is motivated by a desire to please God. The other person is motivated by some other reason. So, are both individuals pleasing to God? Is He merely pleased because a good thing was done, or are our motives important? Read the following excerpt and then examine what motivates you to do the things that you do!

     Why do non-Christians restrain themselves from committing certain sins? It is because they fear adverse consequences. This principle has been proven repeatedly throughout human history during times when the usual moral restraints, such as governmental law or public opinion, have been removed. When brutality becomes acceptable, brutality prevails. The piles of human skulls in Cambodian killing fields and crumbling incinerators of Nazi concentration camps stand as mute testimony to the true nature of unregenerate human nature. What happens when murder is legalized, when the law of the State or public opinion says it’s OK to exterminate Jews or rip the unborn to pieces in their mothers’ wombs? No one has to speculate on the answer to that question. How many professing Christians are motivated, in their limited morality and holiness, not by love for God and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, but by ever-changing public sentiment, the continually-revised law of the land, or peer-pressure of their fellow church members? Only God knows for certain. But through honest self-examination, each one of us can determine what truly motivates us. If every professing Christian would do that, many would be shocked to discover that all their goodness is really wickedness, motivated by nothing higher than self-interest. Is it really possible to do good things, yet be motivated by pure selfishness? Absolutely. As I’ve already pointed out, most of the “virtuous” deeds done by non-Christians spring from selfish motivations. Consider the words of Paul in this regard: If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing (1 Cor. 13:3).

Servant, David (2013-03-05). The Great Gospel Deception (Kindle Locations 436-448). Ethnos Press. Kindle Edition. 

     There are many professing Christians who have "good morals." They do certain good things and have a "form of godliness." They avoid certain sins and behaviors that they deem as wrong. Sadly, many individuals are only motivated by selfish reasons. They fear getting caught in a scandalous situation. Others are "legalists," they do what they do out of an obligation; they fear the wrath of God, and are merely avoiding punishment. Others, like the Pharisees, are motivated by the desire to impress others with their good deeds and morals. Others, would do certain things if they thought they could get away with it. Obviously these kinds of individuals cannot be pleasing to God with their shallow, selfish motives. The individual who lives to please God is the individual who is pleasing to God. Such an individual is moved by the desire to honor God, and to bring glory to Him. The true Christian is one who acts out of love towards God and his fellow man. This according to the scriptures is the fulfilling of the law. Paul states that the only thing that counts in Christ Jesus, is faith working by love (Gal 5:6). 
     What motivates you to do the things you do?
     

It Is Time To Seek The Lord.

Sow with a view to righteousness,

reap in accordance to kindness;

break up your fallow ground,

for it is time to seek the Lord

until He comes to rain 

righteousness on you.

Hosea 10:12 NASB

     

     Much like the "days of Elijah," we see a nation wavering between two opinions (1 Kings 18:21). The real tragedy in all of this is the fact that there is a professing element of Christianity that holds to a form of godliness, but denies its power (2 Tim 3:5). Many have allowed the soft ground of their hearts to grow hard. Instead of bearing the fruit of righteousness, thorns and thistles grow instead, on land that is in danger of being cursed (Hebrews 6:7-8).

     If we would enjoy the presence of God in our midst once again; if we would experience His refreshing; if we would walk in the power of the Holy Ghost as in former times, we must seek the Lord in all earnestness. As we read in Jeremiah, "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). To break up the fallow ground is to repent. It is to get out the sin and rebellion, and to turn to God in brokenness and humility. Many people do not like this. They would rather not deal with their sin in this way. It hurts to dig deep within our inner selves; to tear the sin out by the roots; but repentance must be deep if we would truly seek the Lord, and find Him. I'm afraid that while many "seek" the Lord, very few actually find Him. They are not really sincere enough to do what it takes (deep repentance/humility) to persevere and find Him. 

     In 2 Chronicles 7:14, we have the promise that if we who are called by God's name (Christians), would humble ourselves and pray, seek God's face, and turn from our wicked ways, then God would hear us from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land. You see, it begins with us. The saying is true, that if we desire revival, it must begin with us. If we would see the fruit of righteousness springing up in our lives, in our churches, and in this land, we must begin to earnestly seek the Lord one more time. We cannot afford to be half hearted, we cannot afford to be insincere in repentance, we cannot afford to quickly give up before the Lord comes back to His temple in all of His power and glory once again. 

     Jesus says to us, Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me (Rev 3:20 NASB). These words were spoken by the Savior to the Church at Laodicea; a church that was compromised, worldly, and self sufficient, much like so many today. Yet, the invitation is still offered. Christ stands on the outside desiring to come in, if we will but let Him.