It is vitally important that we examine our motives for serving the Lord. We are so prone to be impressed by outward displays of zeal, but apart from a heart of love, it’s nothing but wood, hay, and stubble. Oh yes, there may be temporary results, but there certainly will not be any lasting fruit or reward. We must be able to say that it’s the love of Christ that constrains us because we can get so busy doing the work of the Lord that we forget the Lord of the work. It’s only when loving Jesus is our priority that serving Jesus will become fruitful. We are only fruitful to the extent that we abide in the vine. Do not make ministry your god. Worship your God and your ministry will follow.
Matthew 5:8 tells us that the pure in heart are blessed, for they shall see God. As redeemed servants (Paul’s and Timothy’s claim to fame!), our ears must always be listening for our Master’s voice, for our call is to serve Him forever. That’s what we need today, isn’t it? A listening ear and a pure heart. We must remember that Jesus wants us to serve Him willingly. The principle for giving financially also applies to every area of our life.
1 Timothy 5:22 exhorts: “keep yourself pure.” Purity of morals, purity of doctrine, purity of thoughts, and last but certainly not least, purity of motives. Are you, in serving the Lord, actually using Him to seek great things for yourself? Jesus is not looking for perfection; He’s looking for purity.
May the reality of His coming work that purity within us! May we never forget that God’s design for our lives is agape love out of a pure heart. It’s not what you do, but why you do it and for whom. That’s what God sees. Can you see how God has equipped you for service? Are you serving Him in that capacity mechanically, or lovingly and worshipfully?
Make your service for Jesus count. Be faithful; be steadfast; be pure.
