Motives Can Be Like Pollen
Have
you ever wondered “why” things happen the way the do? Why someone that is
seeking selfish glory can prosper, while someone more humble seems to suffer?
In the end, it doesn’t matter. God uses ALL things for His good purposes and
for His glory. Reading Paul’s words in Philippians is very encouraging.
Philippians
1
Vs.
11: May you always be filled with the fruit of
your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for
this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Vs. 15: It’s true that
some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ
with pure motives.
Vs. 18: But that
doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about
Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to
rejoice.
Vs. 28-29: 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies.
This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you
are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in
Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him.
It strikes me, that when we
live by the directions from the Holy Spirit, using the gifts He has given us,
we can be confident that Jesus WILL be honored and glorified! Yes, even if we
(or others) share the good news about Jesus in some selfish/self-glorifying
ways, He will still be glorified. This is also true of when we share about Him
with the way we talk and live – that some will speak against us or even cause us
harm. That is ok – we are suffering but a TINY bit for Jesus. Not at all like
the suffering He did for us! The very last verse tells us that we should count
it a privilege to both witness for and suffer for Jesus, because of Him and His
name, His Spirit living in and through us – witnessing to the world around us.
A privilege. FAR better for us to have right and pure motives, but even when we
slip into our humanness, He will still use it for His glory – that is pretty
awesome!!
Yes, there are times our human nature kicks in,
and we talk to someone sharing God’s goodness, but with motives that are not so
innocent. But guess what?!?! EVEN when we (or others) do this, when we are
talking about Jesus – Jesus is STILL being preached! So, God will use the Good
News to touch people’s hearts, no matter how human we are LOL Of course, it is
far easier and more enjoyable to have pure hearts with motives open and exposed
– to share the love of Jesus! It is comforting to me, that even in suffering,
here on earth, how I/we respond and show the heart of Jesus – THAT is all that
matters! In those moments (or days even years) of suffering, we need to view it
as a privilege for the sake of Jesus.
When we allow the Spirits fruit gifts in us to
bloom and spread to others, it is like pollen blowing in the wind. It will
produce good things where it lands. Yes, right or wrong, good or bad motives,
like this pollen – will fly all over and affect EVERYONE it comes in contact
with. Even unbeknownst to them. Jesus WILL land on their heart. God will move
them to Him in His timing. We are to just keep spreading the Good News ;-)
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