Saturday, May 30, 2020

Reflection - Spiritual Journey - Good Deeds and Godly Motives

Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART I: SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, Chapter 3, "Keeping the Motive Clear", Question 2, Page 19.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


How can our good deeds bring glory to God (Matthew 5:16)?
PHOTO: How can our good deeds bring glory to God (Matthew 5:16)?
Why do we do the things we do every day? Different people may have different reasons for their actions. They may be doing the same things, but their motives may be very different. Even things done in the name of Christian piety may be performed with the wrong motives. Take, for instance, the Pharisees at the time of Jesus. They were criticised by Jesus for practising a theatrical religion that was intended to impress observers. They performed their religious duties to be seen by others (Matthew 6:1, 5, 16).

Jesus did not condemn their pious (devoted) acts per se, but their wicked and self-centred motivations. It is possible to do the right things but for the wrong reasons. This is how those who approach Jesus with their impressive religious acts (prophesying, driving out demons, and performing many miracles in the name of Jesus) will discover that their motives are wanting (Matthew 7:22-23). Jesus will call them "evildoers", not because they did evil things but because they tried to do good with evil motives. They did not do these things for the right reasons - for the glory of God and the good of others. Rather, they did it for their own glory and reputation.

God judges deeply and is not only focused on what we do but also our motives. "All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord" (Proverbs 16:2). God's judgement will be comprehensive and include the purposes behind our actions, even those that seem so reasonable and noble on the surface.

The Shorter Westminster Catechism begins by stating a central Christian motive in life: "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." This echoes what we read in the Bible: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). One may ask (quite rightly), "What has eating and drinking got to do with the glory of God?" To understand what Paul wrote here, we must examine its context. Paul was giving pastoral advice on the sensitive matter of whether Christians in the early church could eat meat offered to idols in pagan temples and later sold in the meat markets. Earlier, in 1 Corinthians 8, Paul referred to those who knew that idols were nothing and therefore how they were free to eat such meat offered to nothing.

However, eating such meat with the wrong motive - to show off one's supreme knowledge or the exercise of one's freedom - is not acceptable. For Paul, these were wrong reasons for doing so. The motive of love towers over that of knowledge and freedom. One eats of refrains from eating out of consideration for those with a weaker conscience. To avoid becoming a stumbling block to the faith of others is to exercise love - and such motives glorify God, because God is love (1 John 4:8). "If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete to us" (1 John 4:12).


How can we ensure that our actions are done with godly motives?
How will we stand one day in the presence of God? Will we hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21, 23)? Or, will we hear the terrifying words, "You wicked, lazy servant" (Matthew 25:26)? What God will say to us depends on what we have done but also why we did it - or why we failed to do something good. Our motives must be clean and godly, coming from "a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5). And this is possible only if we have a growing relationship with Jesus. We don't want Him to say "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23).

Therefore, let us pray the psalmist's prayer: "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24). Amid many distractions and motives, may God give us "an undivided heart" (Psalm 86:11) and a purity of heart that "wills one thing." (Good).


What lesser motives must we guard ourselves against?
We can do things - even good things - with less than noble motives. We can do things out of anger, pride, covetousness, to earn a false reputation, or the praise of men. Paul refused to judge his own actions on the basis of popularity, human praise, or even the comforting assurance of his own conscience. Instead he wrote a sobering thought: "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God" (1 Corinthians 4:5, emphasis added).
Picture posted by Stkaallen on 01 April 2014 at 8:42 pm
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https://stkaallen.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/the-love-of-god-pb-is-jesus-bcakgrounds-610241.jpg
https://stkaallen.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/the-love-of-god/
 

How can our good deeds bring glory to God (Matthew 5:16)?
PHOTO: How can our good deeds bring glory to God (Matthew 5:16)?
Think Good, Speak Good, Do Good.
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How can our good deeds bring glory to God (Matthew 5:16)? How can we ensure that our actions are done with godly motives? What lesser motives must we guard ourselves against?

How can our good deeds bring glory to God (Matthew 5:16)?
Why do we do the things we do every day? Different people may have different reasons for their actions. They may be doing the same things, but their motives may be very different. Even things done in the name of Christian piety may be performed with the wrong motives. Take, for instance, the Pharisees at the time of Jesus. They were criticised by Jesus for practising a theatrical religion that was intended to impress observers. They performed their religious duties to be seen by others (Matthew 6:1, 5, 16).


Things done in the name of Christian piety may be performed with the wrong motives.
PHOTO: Things done in the name of Christian piety may be performed with the wrong motives. Take, for instance, the Pharisees at the time of Jesus. They were criticised by Jesus for practising a theatrical religion that was intended to impress observers. They performed their religious duties to be seen by others (Matthew 6:1, 5, 16).
Picture posted by Devotion to Our Lady
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https://devotiontoourlady.com/pharisees.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/08/reflection-imitating-christ-in-our.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/02/reflection-jesus-and-jonah-jonahs-story.html


Jesus did not condemn their pious (devoted) acts per se, but their wicked and self-centred motivations. It is possible to do the right things but for the wrong reasons. This is how those who approach Jesus with their impressive religious acts (prophesying, driving out demons, and performing many miracles in the name of Jesus) will discover that their motives are wanting (Matthew 7:22-23). Jesus will call them "evildoers", not because they did evil things but because they tried to do good with evil motives. They did not do these things for the right reasons - for the glory of God and the good of others. Rather, they did it for their own glory and reputation.


It is possible to do the right things but for the wrong reasons.
PHOTO: It is possible to do the right things but for the wrong reasons. This is how those who approach Jesus with their impressive religious acts (prophesying, driving out demons, and performing many miracles in the name of Jesus) will discover that their motives are wanting (Matthew 7:22-23). Jesus did not condemn pious (devoted) acts per se, but wicked and self-centred motivations. They did not do these things for the right reasons - for the glory of God and the good of others. Rather, they did it for their own glory and reputation.
Picture saved by Olga D'Agostino to PEOPLE
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHj1Mj_Twcfy2W4v9Tjo37XMk6tCP6wmgNxQiUqifHute-BHizA6sFQlrdpYJsosbdiEl26E_Nyrrqu9ST8awQvzNbP8qoOW8MmmTN8yyEJvAJF0WVHBmwUx79J40BnqenzJonfhk-VJI/s1600/a5f4bb8cdf9efea4f699aa2294b331ed.jpg
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https://ar.pinterest.com/pin/142918988163314511/


God judges deeply and is not only focused on what we do but also our motives. "All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord" (Proverbs 16:2). God's judgement will be comprehensive and include the purposes behind our actions, even those that seem so reasonable and noble on the surface.


God judges deeply and is not only focused on what we do but also our motives.
PHOTO: God judges deeply and is not only focused on what we do but also our motives. "All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord" (Proverbs 16:2). God's judgement will be comprehensive and include the purposes behind our actions, even those that seem so reasonable and noble on the surface.
Picture posted by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/03/reflection-solution-to-worn-out-lives.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/08/reflection-imitating-christ-in-our.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/02/reflection-jesus-and-jonah-jonahs-story.html


The Shorter Westminster Catechism begins by stating a central Christian motive in life: "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." This echoes what we read in the Bible: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). One may ask (quite rightly), "What has eating and drinking got to do with the glory of God?" To understand what Paul wrote here, we must examine its context. Paul was giving pastoral advice on the sensitive matter of whether Christians in the early church could eat meat offered to idols in pagan temples and later sold in the meat markets. Earlier, in 1 Corinthians 8, Paul referred to those who knew that idols were nothing and therefore how they were free to eat such meat offered to nothing.


Central Christian motive in life
PHOTO: Central Christian motive in life
"Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." This echoes what we read in the Bible: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Picture posted by World Challenge
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https://worldchallenge.org/sites/default/files/190603-pc-web.jpg
https://worldchallenge.org/verse/1-corinthians-1031-0


However, eating such meat with the wrong motive - to show off one's supreme knowledge or the exercise of one's freedom - is not acceptable. For Paul, these were wrong reasons for doing so. The motive of love towers over that of knowledge and freedom. One eats of refrains from eating out of consideration for those with a weaker conscience. To avoid becoming a stumbling block to the faith of others is to exercise love - and such motives glorify God, because God is love (1 John 4:8). "If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete to us" (1 John 4:12).


The motive of love towers over that of knowledge and freedom.
PHOTO: The motive of love towers over that of knowledge and freedom. To avoid becoming a stumbling block to the faith of others is to exercise love - and such motives glorify God, because God is love (1 John 4:8). "If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete to us" (1 John 4:12).
Picture posted by Ruth, faithimg.com - God is love
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https://faithimg.com/app/uploads/2020/02/God-is-love.jpg
https://faithimg.com/god-is-love-5/comment-page-1/


How can we ensure that our actions are done with godly motives?
How will we stand one day in the presence of God? Will we hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21, 23)? Or, will we hear the terrifying words, "You wicked, lazy servant" (Matthew 25:26)? What God will say to us depends on what we have done but also why we did it - or why we failed to do something good. Our motives must be clean and godly, coming from "a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5). And this is possible only if we have a growing relationship with Jesus. We don't want Him to say "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23).


How can we ensure that our actions are done with godly motives?
PHOTO: How can we ensure that our actions are done with godly motives?
What God will say to us depends on what we have done but also why we did it - or why we failed to do something good. Our motives must be clean and godly, coming from "a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5). And this is possible only if we have a growing relationship with Jesus. We don't want Him to say "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23).
Picture posted by narieta
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https://en.picmix.com/pic/GOOD-MORNING-9058532?type=popular&filter=pic&offset=98


Therefore, let us pray the psalmist's prayer: "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24). Amid many distractions and motives, may God give us "an undivided heart" (Psalm 86:11) and a purity of heart that "wills one thing." (Good). [16]
 

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
PHOTO: "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24). Amid many distractions and motives, may God give us "an undivided heart" (Psalm 86:11) and a purity of heart that "wills one thing." (Good).
Picture posted by maryrudy, picmix.com on 15 february 2016
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https://en.picmix.com/pic/douceur-4215659


What lesser motives must we guard ourselves against?
We can do things - even good things - with less than noble motives. We can do things out of anger, pride, covetousness, to earn a false reputation, or the praise of men. Paul refused to judge his own actions on the basis of popularity, human praise, or even the comforting assurance of his own conscience. Instead he wrote a sobering thought: "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God" (1 Corinthians 4:5, emphasis added).


What lesser motives must we guard ourselves against?
PHOTO: What lesser motives must we guard ourselves against?
We can do things - even good things - with less than noble motives. We can do things out of anger, pride, covetousness, to earn a false reputation, or the praise of men. Paul refused to judge his own actions on the basis of popularity, human praise, or even the comforting assurance of his own conscience.
Picture posted by Jon Moran Photography, uploaded on 13 May 2014 - 'Fallen Angel'
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Dear Lord
Dear Lord
PHOTO: “Dear Lord, Please help us to do things, especially things done in the name of Christian piety, for the right reasons - for the glory of God and the good of others. And not for our own glory and reputation.

We need help not to practice theatrical religion intending to impress observers, or perform our religious duties to be seen by others. Such impressive religious act are wicked and with self-centred motivations. These are just trying to do good with evil motives and not for the right reasons.

Help us to stop doing things, even good things with less than noble motives. Prevent us from doing things out of anger, pride, covetousness, to earn a false reputation, or the praise of men.

But help us in whatever we do, do it with the motive of love, and to glorify God. Because if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete to us. The motive of love towers over other things.

We need a growing relationship with Jesus so that our motives can be clean and godly, coming from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Search us, God, and know our heart; test us and know our anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting.

Amid many distractions and motives, may God give us an undivided heart and a purity of heart that ‘wills one thing’.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
Picture posted by Al-Wafyh on 22 June 2008 - Regret
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Reflection - Spiritual Journey - Good Deeds and Godly Motives
Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART I: SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, Chapter 3, "Keeping the Motive Clear", Question 2, Page 19.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012







Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 
 


Reference
[1] From "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, Copyright © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-981-14-1836-5, PART I: SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, Chapter 3, "Keeping the Motive Clear", Page 15-19.

[15] Bruce Barton, What Can a Man Believe? (Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1927), 252-253.

[16] Søren Kierkegaad, Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1938).


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1 Corinthians 8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+8&version=NIV

1 Corinthians 10:31 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+10%3A31&version=NIV

1 John 4:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A8&version=NIV

1 John 4:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A12&version=NIV

1 Timothy 1:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+1%3A5&version=NIV

Matthew 5:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A16&version=NIV

Matthew 6:1, 5, 16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A1%2C+5%2C+16&version=NIV

Matthew 7:22-23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A22-23&version=NIV

Matthew 7:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A23&version=NIV

Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV

Matthew 25:21, 23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A21%2C+23&version=NIV

Matthew 25:26 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A26&version=NIV

Proverbs 16:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+16%3A2&version=NIV

Psalm 86:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+86%3A11&version=NIV

Psalm 139:23-24 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139%3A23-24&version=NIV
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