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Dec 15, 2023 18:30pm

Motive Matters

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“Why are you even here?”

The student stared at me from across the desk, eyes full of doubt, questions, and uncertainty. This student had struggled through 4 years of rigorous science courses in college, applied for medical school twice and had been rejected both times and this was the question he needed to be asked the most.

He struggled for a minute and then answered, “because I want to be a doctor.” But this wasn’t a statement. His answer was laced with questions of its own.

Throughout the next hour, we talked it out and discovered the true motivation behind his decision to pursue medicine. And it wasn’t good.

Motive matters.

Luke 20:1-8

“And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.”

Motive matters.

What was really behind this question of authority? It wasn’t an honest search for the truth to gain understanding. These religious leaders were on a witch-hunt. They were seeking to destroy Jesus. They despised the fact that others were following Him. Indignation surged through them as Jesus taught the truth and it proved them wrong.

So what about us? What if we asked ourselves that same question today?

What’s our motivation for…

Following Jesus?

Being a part of the ministry we’re in?

Sharing the gospel?

Going to church?

Why are we doing it? What’s really the focus of our mission?

At a youth conference last summer, the pastor said this during one of the sessions, “You cannot be devoted to the person of Jesus without being devoted to the purpose of Jesus”.

So what was Jesus’ purpose? To make known the salvation that God offers to those that will trust in Him. To declare that sin is real, death is certain, but redemption is possible. And it only comes through Jesus Christ. And to follow Him, means that you’re committed to making His name known to all people wherever the Lord has you go.

Is this your motivation for following Jesus? If it’s anything other than glorifying God then we need to rethink our motives. Everything else is worthless.

Motive matters.