MOTIVES MATTER
James 2:12-13 So whenever you speak, or whatever you do, remember
that you will be judged by the law of love, the law that sets you free. For
there will be no mercy for you if you have not been merciful to others. But if
you have been merciful, then God's mercy toward you will win out over his
judgment against you. NLT
The Lord does not
judge us for what we do. Rather, He judges us for why we do what we do. Our
actions are the fruit of our hearts. God is love and commands love from us, His
children. We may not always do the right thing, but if our love for God
motivates us, it is okay. He knows we will mess up, but He is okay with that if
our hearts are right before Him.
On the same token, if
we do all the right things for the wrong reasons, we might as well not do them
at all. God will use what we do in spite of us, not because of us. It does no
good at all as far as our relationship with God is concerned when we are not
properly motivated by His love and our love for Him.
God knows our hearts
and will reward those who live in His love and let His love flow through them
to others. Where there is no love from God, there can only be judgment. A
loveless heart is a condemned heart. There is no mercy towards those who do not
have godly love moving them in their living.
How does one know for
sure that he is being directed by God's love? He stays in intimate contact with
God. He sincerely seeks God and submits to His lordship. He nurtures his love
for God and lovingly yields to His leading. He makes his relationship with God
the priority of his life. He willingly obeys God and seeks to always live by
God’s Word in all things. You cannot actively seek God with a sincere heart and
not be saturated by His love.
How much effort are
you putting into your love relationship with God? Are you living out your love
for the Lord? If you are, others will know it and be drawn to it.
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