Today’s devotion is based on Philippians 1:12-30: Joy in the Journey: Week 2 (WATCH HERE)
Outward activity can cover inner pain.
Yesterday morning, I was listening to a speaker share his journey into an inner wholeness that found his grounding in grace and the truth of God’s identity for him. He happened to be the pastor of a very large church in San Antonio. In his journey, he realized that he was driven by proving his critics wrong. When he took over the church in San Antonio, he lost 4000 of the 11,000 members. People didn’t like his style or his vision, so they left. He then sought to overcome his detractors by building the attendance past his predecessor. He was driven to prove his critics wrong.
The motive was not pure.
The outcome in now a church over 20,000.
As a pastor, it hurts when people don’t connect with your gifts. It is challenging to deal with critics who don’t like your style of ministry. It is tempting to do things to get people to like you. As well, it is tempting to preach the Gospel to grow the church for selfish, ego purposes.
Pain in your own soul can drive preachers to do the right thing (preach the Gospel) for wrong motives.
Forgive us, Lord!
This challenge is not new to the 21st century. In Philippi, there were various people that were proclaiming the Gospel. Not all of them out of pure motives. It seemed like some wanted the notoriety of Paul and to take over his spot in his absence. Others may have wanted to have a household name as a preacher of the Gospel.
Their motives were not pure.
But the Gospel was still being spread.
Here was Paul’s reaction:
Philippians 1:15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
At the end of the day, Jesus was being proclaimed. It appears the motives of their heart were not affecting the truth of their words. People were hearing about Jesus. People were hearing about grace and forgiveness.
For this Paul rejoiced.
That doesn’t mean motives don’t matter. It doesn’t mean that the “end justifies” the means.
Motives do matter. The writer to the Hebrews says,
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The Word of God is there to expose the motives of our heart. We can do a lot of “Christian” things with a poor attitude. We can seek to love others, serve others, or teach others with the motivation to be recognized by others because we have a pain of low self-worth. We can be friendly and ensure everyone is taken care of and be motivated by a pain of low acceptance.
The gift of grace is that even into the pains of our heart with which we suffer silently comes the truth of God’s Word.
Is your pain abandonment? Remember God is always with you.
Is your pain acceptance? Remember you are a loved, child of your heavenly Father.
Is your pain recognition? Remember at your baptism, God said, “I am well pleased” with you!
Is your pain perfectionism? Remember Jesus was perfect for you.
The list could go on.
As you serve Jesus and the light of the Gospel shines, rejoice! As the motives of your heart are exposed, be healed by that same Gospel. It does transform your motives!
Apply: Take an evaluation today of why you do what you do. What does God expose? How can God heal that hurt?
Prayer: Lord Jesus. Thank you for redeeming my activities done from a false motive and utilizing them for the advancement of the Gospel. Create in me a pure heart so that all I do for you comes from a heart redeemed by you! AMEN.