I was thinking the other day about what my motivation is. Why do I want to see people saved? Why do I want people to be Christians? Why do I want people to live in accordance with the word and will of God?
So often I desire to see people find peace. There are those who are hiding running, and turning from God, and they are restless, troubled, and without peace. I see people suffering and living through trying and difficult days and times as a direct result of their sins. I have known men who suffered through the day because they drank too much alcohol the night before. I know those who are poor and overworked because they committed fornication, having children out of wedlock for which they have neither time nor money to care for. (Worse yet, there are those who have murdered there own children, taking upon themselves the curse of shedding innocent blood. Worse yet are they who live in the enjoyment of their sin bearing the guilt of murder but with out shame or pain living in complete callousness to God and his coming judgment.) I know those who have nearly been and who are divorced because they have neglected their duties, misdirected their affections, and ordered their life and responsibilities in a fashion contrary to the plan of God as it is so clearly prescribed in his Holy Word. His Word which so few retain in their knowledge and much less do they obey it. These are common sins of so many and the fruit of their sin is ever before them as they reap it day after day. Yet they change not and their hearts are hardened. As we get to know some of these people we feel sorry for them, we wish to help them. We try to brighten their day and cheer them as they go their way. Those who love men more than God so often will do things which appear to help men but are in fact prohibited by God. When we love men more than God humanism becomes our God and we endorse not only Idolatry but we in essence reinvent Christianity and change it into a lie, a blasphemy, and an alternative to the only true Christianity - Biblical Christianity. We must remember that Christ associated with sinners and sought their salvation - but we must not forget that he also boldly spoke against hypocrisy and sin. We can observe from the scriptures that it was the lost sinner who received much grace, not the self-righteous hypocrites who mistakenly thought they knew God. Thus by the scriptural example we show more grace to those who never had much chance to learn the righteous way. We invite them to church, we speak of Biblical principles, and we treat them with respect. We desire for them to find the peace that is only available through our Lord Jesus Christ. That name above all names – who they know only as a swear word – or a distorted distant memory.
If only they would find Christ and his salvation and live in accordance with the word of God: then so many of their problems in this life would simply cease to be. Then they would have the joy, peace, and grace of God to help and to lead them victoriously through the trials and difficulties that all must endure as they are yet in the body of flesh upon the earth.
But let us not forget the reason for desiring the salvation of lost souls. The greatest reason for seeking the lost is not to see them find peace. The greatest reason to see them find peace is not so that their life will be comfortable. These reasons are far too earthly minded, and could even be motivated by selfishness. The reason we should desire to see men saved is for the Glory of God and the sake of his kingdom. Further, we should desire to see men saved to have them avoid eternal Hell fire, rather than to merely see them live comfortably in this short time we have here upon the earth. We should be motivated by fear, heeding the word of God and knowing full well, the torment and fury to which the unsaved are to be subject!
It is vital not to lose our focus; for we stand in danger of loving man more than God, and of desiring peace for men rather than Glory for our Holy Father. We stand in danger of desiring peace on earth, more than, or instead of peace in the eternal. In fact, there are ministers who have done God disservice to this very end. They have overlooked truth and discarded righteousness and attempted to extend love beyond the limits of its character. They have cut some from the peace of eternal life in an attempt to bring them peace in this world, and the very prince of darkness applauds their efforts.
To keep the proper focus we must know, believe, and live the truth of the scriptures, not only to live righteously in the sight of God, (who sees all) but to live righteously in the eyes of men, to the end that we may turn them to Him. Him to whom all praise and honor and glory is due, to Him who is the author and finisher of our faith.
Let us see the greatest commandments spoken by Christ Jesus in Matthew 22:36-39 and regard their order. "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." These laws are very much intertwined, for we cannot possibly love God unless we love man. However, I believe that we can love man to a point without loving God, for even sinners love that from which they benefit. Even unselfish and sacrificial love is I believe possible without necessarily loving God. But loving man without loving God is like having zeal for God without knowledge. More harm than good could be done if we are not wisely and rightly directed. It is a love which is without understanding. Let us first Love God and seek his Glory, and in doing so we will love man and seek his benefit in the way which is right and pleasing to God in light of his will and the eternity into which we shall shortly pass. Amen.
http://thethoughtsofhans.blogspot.com/2011/12/make-difference-share-gospel.html
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