My wife and I like to watch detective shows. We invariably discuss what the motive would be for the crime that was committed. From the very beginning of an investigation, one of the first questions is, “what was the motive for this crime?” The most powerful force in human behavior is motive! Why are they doing what they are doing? Motive is the hidden reason or desire that drives a person’s actions. It sustains and justifies their actions.
During King Jesus’ time on earth, there were many who approached Him for something. For example, there was a woman who wasn’t of the tribe of Israel, but she had a strong motive for coming to Him. Jesus stated that her faith was great. Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”
But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”
But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15:21-28
As you can see, the woman had a strong motive to get King Jesus’ attention. Why is motive so important to the subject of faith? Motive is the birthplace from which convictions and belief come. Here is another question for you. What is your motive for following the Lord God? The answer to that question is at the very heart of your life.
Your motive is very important to the King. Read what the King stated to those who were searching for Him after He fed the five thousand: When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?”
Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” John 6:24-27
Keep in mind, there are many people who are serving the Lord God because of what He can do for them and He knows their motive. Yes, the Lord Jesus could feed them, heal their bodies, and cast out their evil spirits. However, their motives were selfish and self-serving. They were seeking King Jesus for what He could do for them, not for who He was. As He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.” In essence, He was saying “I know why you are here. You aren’t looking for Me; you’re looking for a blessing. You are looking for more free bread and fish.”!
There are no selfish motives in God's Kingdom. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Philippians 2:3
Remember, your motive both conceals and reveals the quality and nature of your faith in Him.
The Lord God has promised to bless us as children and citizens of His Kingdom, but if our motive is to serve Him because of His blessings, then what happens when the blessings cease? What happens to our faith when hard times come? But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
Our motive is not to be blessed, it is to seek and obey Him. Our human nature gets it backwards! We seek the blessings, the benefits of Kingdom citizenship over seeking Him. Our true motive is often even concealed to us. This is why we must always examine our heart and uncover our true motive and what we truly seek after. “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33
Keep in mind, like the crowd who sought out the Lord Jesus in Capernaum, many today follow His blessings. You may trust in the King when He heals, but will you still trust Him when He doesn’t heal or deliver someone close to you? “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 If your motive is in seeking after God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, you will still trust Him no matter what happens. Remember, in the Kingdom of the Lord God, our faith is more in the nature and character of the King than the gifts from the King.
The Kingdom motive is set on pleasing our King and living by His laws and principles. Then all we need will be supplied to us. He takes care of His citizens. His Word is true! His Word will keep your motive focused on Him. Have faith! Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:27-34 Is the object of your motive the treasure or the King?
Remember, your faith in the King is your most valuable asset in the Kingdom.
All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
During King Jesus’ time on earth, there were many who approached Him for something. For example, there was a woman who wasn’t of the tribe of Israel, but she had a strong motive for coming to Him. Jesus stated that her faith was great. Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”
But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”
But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15:21-28
As you can see, the woman had a strong motive to get King Jesus’ attention. Why is motive so important to the subject of faith? Motive is the birthplace from which convictions and belief come. Here is another question for you. What is your motive for following the Lord God? The answer to that question is at the very heart of your life.
Your motive is very important to the King. Read what the King stated to those who were searching for Him after He fed the five thousand: When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?”
Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” John 6:24-27
Keep in mind, there are many people who are serving the Lord God because of what He can do for them and He knows their motive. Yes, the Lord Jesus could feed them, heal their bodies, and cast out their evil spirits. However, their motives were selfish and self-serving. They were seeking King Jesus for what He could do for them, not for who He was. As He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.” In essence, He was saying “I know why you are here. You aren’t looking for Me; you’re looking for a blessing. You are looking for more free bread and fish.”!
There are no selfish motives in God's Kingdom. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Philippians 2:3
Remember, your motive both conceals and reveals the quality and nature of your faith in Him.
The Lord God has promised to bless us as children and citizens of His Kingdom, but if our motive is to serve Him because of His blessings, then what happens when the blessings cease? What happens to our faith when hard times come? But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
Our motive is not to be blessed, it is to seek and obey Him. Our human nature gets it backwards! We seek the blessings, the benefits of Kingdom citizenship over seeking Him. Our true motive is often even concealed to us. This is why we must always examine our heart and uncover our true motive and what we truly seek after. “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33
Keep in mind, like the crowd who sought out the Lord Jesus in Capernaum, many today follow His blessings. You may trust in the King when He heals, but will you still trust Him when He doesn’t heal or deliver someone close to you? “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 If your motive is in seeking after God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, you will still trust Him no matter what happens. Remember, in the Kingdom of the Lord God, our faith is more in the nature and character of the King than the gifts from the King.
The Kingdom motive is set on pleasing our King and living by His laws and principles. Then all we need will be supplied to us. He takes care of His citizens. His Word is true! His Word will keep your motive focused on Him. Have faith! Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:27-34 Is the object of your motive the treasure or the King?
Remember, your faith in the King is your most valuable asset in the Kingdom.
All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
