Motives Matter

2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; Psalms. 30; 1 Thessalonians 2 

“We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives…We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.”

1 Thessalonians 2:2-4

Motives matter to God. In his sovereignty, God has allowed persecution of the Church to test and refine us and to expose our motives. The beating and imprisonment of Paul and Silas in Philippi resulted in the conversion of the jailer and his family. Paul used that story to remind the new Thessalonian Christians that he was preaching the Gospel at great cost to himself, not for personal benefit. The accusations of the Thessalonian Jews who drove Paul out of their city still lingered in the minds of the new Christians. 

Are we sharing the Gospel because that’s our job, or because we, too, are obeying and pleasing the Lord first?

Are we willing to pay whatever price it cost to live and share this Gospel?

“Lord Jesus, thank you for the Gospel. Thank you for the grace to live and share your Gospel today.”