For the Love of God, People

For the love of God, People!!!

Using this phase today seems very close to cursing. It is used as a last resort when every other motive has failed. It is used to pull on one’s very soul to motivate it. It is as if the person using this phrase was desperate on the verge of defeat. It is as if they appealing to the very last on the list of what motivates. For many people, this is a last ditch attempt to cling at one’s soul.

It is strange that this phrase is seen as such. It stands to reason that it is of top priority to real Christian motivation. This phrase was once much higher on that list of motivators. It was once at the top. It was once the puritan’s life blood to do good works. It propped up the protestant work ethic along with the desire to glorify God. It has now become almost a relic in our language. The theology behind it is seen dated as men try to move on to bigger and better things.

The love of God being a motivator isn’t a recent invention. This is nothing less than recognizing the gospel and being moved by it. It has always been around in different degrees since Christ walked the earth. What has changed is that this idea is not common today. If a person is in pain, we tell them to toughen up. If a person is feeling down, we tell them to cheer up. If a person is unmotivated, we tell them to try harder. These things hardly motivate. They assume that the source of motivation lies somewhere within our will. It does not. We aught to try but we should not presume that we can. No Rosie, No we can't do it. Whatever you say, Frankly, my dear I don't give a damn. It is not on the man who runs or strives but it is upon God to have mercy. We are saved by grace. It should not be suprising that we are also motivated by it. That's the problem Rose. A christian cannot be motivated to work in the same way as a non-christian. One needs to consider God in it all. It is ultimately God who must help us to both will and to work. It is God himself and the love of Him that must motivate us. This is not in ourselves.

Jeremiah 13:23 "Can the Ethiopian change his skin Or the leopard his spots? Then you also can do good Who are accustomed to doing evil."

What is impossible (motivation to especially to change) with man is not impossible with God. Our works need to be seen as having been wrought by God. He must be gloried in all that we do. To him be the glory forever and ever.