True Motivation

“Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them...‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:19, 21

Are you better motivated by the positive or by the negative?

Fear, a negative motivation, is a very powerful one. Sales people are taught to use this to their advantage. “If you buy today you will be guaranteed this price, but I can’t promise we will even have one left tomorrow.”

There is a negative motivation for Christian living.

“And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” 1 John 2:28

Paul’s prayer for the Philippians refers to the day of Christ, a day of judgment. He prays that they will all be sincere and blameless (Philippians 1:10). In a sense this is the negative side of holiness.

The positive side of holiness is in verse 11 “...having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

In the day of Christ, all will stand before Him. Christians will not be in danger of condemnation, but will give and account of their lives.

This can sound a bit depressing until you realize that the purpose of this exercise in justice is to bring honor and glory to God.

The deeds of the believer and the unbeliever will testify clearly to the power of Jesus Christ.

Which of these motivations, positive or negative, will you choose to spur you toward service today as you venture for God.