MOTIVES

Been sick and haven't gotten around to blogging...

Been thinking about my motives for the things I do and choices I make. I was reading something a friend posted about how they were always being used for having such a big heart. Truth is giving too much of yourself to the point where you are complaining is a selfish thing. Its all about motives. What are my motives when I spend too much or give too much--I want to feel better or good about myself.

Right now I am in the process of examining myself and I realize that even in doing good my motives come into question. Dying to self is about knowing who I am..really knowing. Figuring out why I think and do the things I do. Only God is good so in order to do a good thing it has to originate from God, whether by His spirit or by imitating Him. That's why even a great philanthropist like Oprah will not find herself in heaven if she doesn't submit to Jesus and stop believing every new "spiritual idea" that comes across her desk.

Since Bishop died I am learning a lot about true motives. I don't want to deceive myself into believing I have arrived further in this walk with Christ than I actually have. I am learning how narrow the way really is..and that there are many people who will not make it to the end of the road BUT have fooled themselves into believing they will. If we don't do what God's Word says we are not of Him. There can be no acceptance of salvation without transformation.

I see a lot of self deception and selfish motives. This is the time of year to when we have a chance to take some time and think about who we really are and why we want certain things or choose them. I want my motives to be pure and upright. I am afraid for Christianity and the lies we've chosen to believe about ourselves. The conscious decisions not to follow the Word or listen to the Holy Spirit, putting our trust in man not Jesus. It seems we've forgotten that we were shapen in iniquity and until regeneration occurs our very nature is sin. How can we think its so easy not to be fooled?

Eve was fooled and she not only was perfect..she walked with God. She knew Him in a way we can't even begin to imagine. However Satan was subtle enough to cause her to question what she already knew to be truth. She had to have some great level of intelligence because God is all knowing and He created her in his image, so for us to live as if we are smarter than her is preposterous. We have to be even more on guard.

This year I am going to examine, crucify, mortify and make my calling sure. I am determined to make it to heaven and see Jesus. I am also determined to please my God. To live a life which glorifies Him, even when it means revealing sin or bad motives in myself. Eve's motives were selfish and proud, she wanted to live forever and have the same knowledge as God. We all betta check ourselves before we wreck ourselves....