Ulterior Motives

1 John 5:3 - Loving God means keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.

God doesn't make it hard on us.  His commandments to love Him above all else and to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40) don't cost us anything.  So why do we struggle with them so much?  I don't really think that we do struggle as much as others might try to say that we do.

Those who say that we don't follow these two primary commandments, I believe do so because they have ulterior motives.  While it is true that there are certainly those who identify themselves as Christian and don't follow these two commandments, I believe they are in the minority.  So why do non-believers use the minority to point out what the majority is, or isn't, doing?  I believe their ulterior motives are mostly based on fear.

Perhaps they are afraid of what God will find out about them when they open up and confess their sins to Him?  Well here's the thing - He already knows.  The writer of Hebrews reminds us that nothing in all creation is hidden from God (Hebrews 4:13).  Nothing escapes His notice.

Maybe they're afraid of what they will find out about themselves?  That's understandable.  We all have secrets about ourselves that we don't want to think about or remember.  Just because we don't think about them, doesn't mean they aren't there.  We have the option to forget about them once we confess them, just like God does.  He has promised to never remember our sins (Isaiah 43:25; Hebrews 8:12, 10:17), and we have the option to do the same.  He doesn't hold them against us, and we shouldn't either.

Maybe they're afraid of what others will find out about them?  That certainly makes sense, since people are prone to gossip.  But if we are true followers of Christ, we will follow Paul's instructions and let what we say be good and helpful, and let our words will be an encouragement to others (Ephesians 4:29).  We won't hold things against others, because love doesn't keep any record of being wronged (1 Corinthians 13:5).

Some might be afraid that the church is just after their money.  That's understandable since there have certainly been those who have done wrong with the tithes and offerings of cheerful givers in the past.  They aren't the rule, though; they are the exception.  I once heard a Pastor address this issue and tell the congregation, "If that's how you feel, that's fine.  Keep your money.  The church is doing fine" (that was a first for me to hear that!).  But he was right.  The church doesn't need your money.  It isn't about that.  It's about being obedient to God.  If you're not sure that your specific church is being a good steward with your tithes and offerings, then pray and ask God where He would like you to give them.  Maybe it's not a church specifically, maybe it's a particular ministry somewhere else in the world.  It's not about the act, it's about the attitude behind it.

When we take the time to share Jesus with those who don't know Him, it is always only about sharing His love.  God's love isn't meant to be hoarded.  Obeying His command to love is also obeying His command to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).  That should always be our ulterior motive.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me.  Thank You for showing me that it all starts and ends with Your love, and that is the most important thing that I have to remember.  I pray for those that have held back committing to You for various reasons.  I pray that they will realize that Your ulterior motive is to show them Your love by blessing them with the free gift of eternal salvation with You in Your Glorious Kingdom.  I pray that those that are sharing Your Good News, remember that it's all about Your love and nothing else.  In Jesus' name, Amen!



God Bless!!!