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What motivates you?
Motivation is defined as the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. Something or someone moves all of us to action. To determine motivators in our lives, we must evaluate all that we engage with our time, money, and energy. Awareness of motivating factors can empower us to be zealous servants of God.
Fear is a fundamental motivating factor. It is understood by all from an early age. When used correctly, fear of punishment is an effective teaching tool to train up children in the way they should go. Even for adults, fear is prevailing. Jesus taught His disciples to fear God and the punishment of hell.
Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather
fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (ESV)
Clearly from this passage, the emphasis is on the eternal rather than the temporary. The realization that sin in our lives separates us from God and commits our soul to punishment in hell for all eternity is one of the early spurs for becoming a Christian. Vivid images of God’s righteous judgment found in 2 Peter 2:4–9 stand to remind us that our deserved punishment is sure, without salvation found only through Jesus the Christ. In times of temptation, recalling passages about judgment and punishment serve well to provoke us to make righteous choices. (Hebrews 10:26-31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; Revelation 20:12–15)
Joy is another factor that must be considered when evaluating motivation. Jesus showed many emotions during His limited time on earth. We have examples of everything from happiness to anger to sadness. In addition to emotion, the inspired writers gave us insight into the motivations of Jesus as well. The Hebrew writer indicates that joy served as an encouraging mechanism for Jesus.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy
that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the
right hand of the throne of God. (ESV)
Physical pain and agony of the cross was no match for the joy ahead. Jesus focused on the joy that was to come while suffering upon the cross. Joy found in doing the will of His father. Joy found in conquering evil. Joy found in being reunited with God. In all aspects of life, Jesus is the perfect example. This is just as true of a motivation for us. We too can be inspired by the joy that lies in the future to keep us obedient servants of God in the present.
Love is the utmost summit of motivation. God gave us the supreme illustration of love through his Son, Jesus the Christ.
1 John 4:9-10 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only
Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have
loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (ESV)
Love was the motivation behind God’s plan of salvation for us, which included the sending His Son to die for our sins. The ultimate sacrifice was paid for us while we were still transgressors at enmity with God. Knowing that love like God’s not only exists, but was shown for us by Jesus should kindle a fire in us to live in service to Christ just like Paul.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who
lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (ESV)
Being motivated by love is exceedingly powerful! Manifestations of true love modeled after the perfect example of Jesus should be expressed in obedience toward God’s commands (John 14:23), love toward one another (1 John 3:16-18), and even love toward our enemies (Matthew 5:44-48). When our faith waivers in the absence of light in our lives, we must remember the abundant love shown by our creator to persevere against the darkness.
This life is full of trials created by the foe to ensnare us on our pilgrimage. To overcome impedances in our path, we must be sure to hold fast to motivations that will help us endure. Fear of righteous judgment, Joy of a home in heaven, and Love for God the Father of light and author of salvation will inspire us in our times of need.
Bryan Tacker
