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The Motives of My Heart
Tim Savage4For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 5Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! 6As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else. 1 Thessalonians 2
God alone examines the motives of my heart. That convicts me this morning because I’m afraid that most decisions I make all day long go through the filter of what’s in my best interest or benefits me the most. I am selfish, not selfless. Unlike Paul, I, unfortunately, crave human praise and go out of my way to receive it.
My application is much longer than my observation. The observation is straightforward and clear, like an arrow shot in to the bull’s eye of a target, like a sharp sword cutting cleanly between muscle and bone. God doesn’t just see the outcome of my decisions and actions; He knows the motives behind them. That’s frightening. I need to be more self-disciplined, more selfless and concern myself more with the approval and applause of God than man. I need to filter everything through God first, others second and me last. Only then, will God be pleased with me, only then will He pour out His blessings on me.
I must look deeply in to my heart because I have become an expert in justifying decisions that somehow benefit me, rather than happily thinking of others first and seeking the best outcome. I have to steward the leadership that God has entrusted me with to glorify Jesus and to have crystal clear motives. It’s really a matter of faith: trusting that God will always provide and care for me, rather than me manipulating situations to give me the edge. I don’t need to advocate for myself because I believe that He works all things together for my good.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive me the many times that my motives were wrong or selfish. I want to glorify You in all that I do and trust that You will always provide generously over and above my needs. I want to live for Your applause and acceptance, not man’s, may I live in such a way so as to please You.
In Jesus name,
Amen
