Which of the images above best describe your motivation for pleasing God?
In his book "The Shape of Faith to Come" (Broadman, Nashville, 2008), Brad Waggoner reveals that only 37% of adults who attend a Protestant church at least once a month claim to live their lives to please God. What do the other 63% live for? What do you live for?
As believers we have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. His death on the cross satisfied God's righteous judgment upon our sin. Jesus took our place. We no longer need to fear death or being separated from God. We owe Jesus everything! Therefore, we are to make it our aim to be pleasing to Him. God's redemption and blessing are without cost; but He will hold us accountable for how we used our redeemed lives for His purposes. This judgment Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 5:10 is for believers only. Our sin has been forever judged at the cross. This judgment is about our stewardship. We will receive reward or be embarrassed before the One who died for us.
The Apostle Paul was convinced that he (and we) would stand before God in judgment, but he was also compelled by the love of God. That God would sacrifice His only Son to die for the sin of others completely astounded Paul. Such a love should be received; and such a love must be proclaimed! The term "compels us" in 2 Corinthians 5:14 is the word used to refer to people suffering with diseases in Matthew 4:24 and Luke 4:38. Paul was literally sick with Christ's love! That is why he made the comment about "being out of our mind". Evidently some accused Paul of being crazy, due to his actions in serving Christ. Indeed, even when later standing before King Agrippa for judgment, Paul tried to convert him and was told, "You are beside yourself! Much learning has made you mad!" (Acts 26:24-29). Paul's love for Christ, and being overwhelmed with Christ's love for him, drove Paul to lose himself in the service of Christ. Do you love Jesus enough to serve Him, no matter what or where?
God's purpose for us all is that we be reconciled to Him through the sacrifice of Jesus, and that we in turn spread the Gospel (Good News) of this reconciliation to everyone. Paul used the word ambassador; we are ambassadors for Christ. We are Christ's representatives here on earth. The only way people will hear of Christ's great love and sacrifice is if we share it with them. God is indeed appealing to the world of humanity through us. We plead with people on God's behalf. Ours is a Gospel of rescue! We need to be more desperate in our efforts to share Christ with the world around us.
Fear, guilt, and manipulation will only motivate for a short period of time. After a while we will no longer fear, stop feeling guilty and grow tired of being manipulated. Such impure motivations only lead to frustration, doubt, anger, and desertion from the cause. We will be judged by God for our service to Him; but we will also be held accountable for our motivations. Do we serve Christ out of love for Him, concern for the lost, and a desire to please Him in all things? Or do we serve for lesser reasons?
BSFL Sunday School commentary for the week of April 18, 2010
The Right Motivation 2 Corinthians 5
Which of the images above best describe your motivation for pleasing God?
In his book "The Shape of Faith to Come" (Broadman, Nashville, 2008), Brad Waggoner reveals that only 37% of adults who attend a Protestant church at least once a month claim to live their lives to please God. What do the other 63% live for? What do you live for?
As believers we have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. His death on the cross satisfied God's righteous judgment upon our sin. Jesus took our place. We no longer need to fear death or being separated from God. We owe Jesus everything! Therefore, we are to make it our aim to be pleasing to Him. God's redemption and blessing are without cost; but He will hold us accountable for how we used our redeemed lives for His purposes. This judgment Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 5:10 is for believers only. Our sin has been forever judged at the cross. This judgment is about our stewardship. We will receive reward or be embarrassed before the One who died for us.
The Apostle Paul was convinced that he (and we) would stand before God in judgment, but he was also compelled by the love of God. That God would sacrifice His only Son to die for the sin of others completely astounded Paul. Such a love should be received; and such a love must be proclaimed! The term "compels us" in 2 Corinthians 5:14 is the word used to refer to people suffering with diseases in Matthew 4:24 and Luke 4:38. Paul was literally sick with Christ's love! That is why he made the comment about "being out of our mind". Evidently some accused Paul of being crazy, due to his actions in serving Christ. Indeed, even when later standing before King Agrippa for judgment, Paul tried to convert him and was told, "You are beside yourself! Much learning has made you mad!" (Acts 26:24-29). Paul's love for Christ, and being overwhelmed with Christ's love for him, drove Paul to lose himself in the service of Christ. Do you love Jesus enough to serve Him, no matter what or where?
God's purpose for us all is that we be reconciled to Him through the sacrifice of Jesus, and that we in turn spread the Gospel (Good News) of this reconciliation to everyone. Paul used the word ambassador; we are ambassadors for Christ. We are Christ's representatives here on earth. The only way people will hear of Christ's great love and sacrifice is if we share it with them. God is indeed appealing to the world of humanity through us. We plead with people on God's behalf. Ours is a Gospel of rescue! We need to be more desperate in our efforts to share Christ with the world around us.
Fear, guilt, and manipulation will only motivate for a short period of time. After a while we will no longer fear, stop feeling guilty and grow tired of being manipulated. Such impure motivations only lead to frustration, doubt, anger, and desertion from the cause. We will be judged by God for our service to Him; but we will also be held accountable for our motivations. Do we serve Christ out of love for Him, concern for the lost, and a desire to please Him in all things? Or do we serve for lesser reasons?