Thursday, May 21, 2015

Understanding Our Three Natural Motivations




“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” —Matthew 6:33

“[…] The great concern of our lives is not the kingdom of God but how we are going to take care of ourselves to live. Jesus reversed the order by telling us to get the right relationship with God first, maintaining it as the primary concern of our lives, and never to place our concern on taking care of the other things of life.[…]  Our Lord pointed out that from His standpoint it is absolutely unreasonable for us to be anxious, worrying about how we will live. […] Jesus did teach that His disciple must make his relationship with God the dominating focus of his life, and to be cautiously carefree about everything else in comparison to that. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Don’t make food and drink the controlling factor of your life, but be focused absolutely on God.” […]  Jesus is saying that the greatest concern of life is to place our relationship with God first, and everything else second.” CHAMBERS

Why did Jesus have to say those words?  Why does God have to tell us anything in the Bible?  Because it is a problem for us.  Because our tendency is to go our own way.  Trust in our own wisdom.   Respond to the demands of our flesh.  Why did Esau give up his birthright?  Because, at that moment, he was more interested in satisfying his stomach.  Why did Peter deny Jesus?  Because he feared for his safety and did what he did to protect himself.  1 John 2:16 says there are three basic motivations for our turning away from God and trusting ourselves.  Lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.  If you look at the Bible and the failings of men, all the way back to Adam, you will see that one or more of those motivations was at the core of whatever sin was committed. God has given us His Word to help us understand the new life we have and the old life that haunts us.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 says “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

You need the Holy Spirit to understand scripture but you must make a choice to obey it in the face of your natural motivations.  A country western singer from years gone by, Buck Owens, sang “All you got to do is act naturally”  If you want to live a defeated life .. to miss God’s blessing and His intent for your life, then that is true.  But, if you want to live a life that is super-natural.  A life that carries you beyond the cares of this world … then make your relationship with God the most important thing in your life.  ELGIN

“Yes Lord yes.  To Your will and to Your way.  Yes Lord yes, I will trust you and obey.  When the Spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I’ll agree and I will answer yes, Lord yes.”

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

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