Living with Pure Motives: A Journey of Faith

In our journey of faith, we are called to live lives that are pleasing to the Lord, not just in outward actions but in the purity of our motives. The scriptures remind us that our works will be tested by fire, revealing the true quality of our deeds. It's not the quantity of our actions that matters, but the quality and the heart behind them. We must constantly examine our motives, ensuring that they are aligned with the glory of God rather than seeking personal reputation or validation from others.

The temptation to justify ourselves before others is a characteristic of the Pharisees, which we must avoid. Instead, we should strive to live before God's face, seeking His approval above all else. This requires a deep reverence for God, recognizing that His forgiveness is not a license to sin but a call to live in awe and respect of His righteousness. Our salvation is to be worked out with fear and trembling, acknowledging our own weaknesses and the unconscious sins that reside within us.

The fear of the Lord is not about being afraid of God but having a reverence that we might not hurt Him. This reverence leads to wisdom and a transformation where our actions become a natural outflow of our new nature in Christ. As we grow spiritually, our motives should become more aligned with God's will, and our actions should reflect His love and kindness spontaneously.

We are reminded of the importance of forgiveness, not as a duty but as a natural response to the forgiveness we have received from God. Our journey is about moving from crawling to running, where our nature is transformed to reflect Christ more fully. This transformation is a process, and we must be patient with ourselves, allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Examine Your Motives: Our actions should be driven by a desire to glorify God, not to gain a reputation among people. Constantly check your heart to ensure your motives are pure and aligned with God's will. [02:37]
• 2. Avoid Self-Justification: Justifying ourselves before others is a trait of the Pharisees. Instead, live with integrity before God, seeking His approval rather than man's. This requires humility and a willingness to grow spiritually. [04:24]
• 3. Reverence for God: True wisdom begins with a reverence for God. This reverence is not about fear of punishment but a deep respect and awe for His righteousness and love. It leads to a life that naturally reflects His character. [09:01]
• 4. Transformation Through the Cross: Our spiritual growth involves daily taking up the cross, denying ourselves, and allowing Christ's nature to increase within us. This transformation is gradual, moving from conscious effort to spontaneous action. [13:37]
• 5. Forgiveness as a Natural Response: Forgiveness should become a natural part of our character, not something we do out of obligation. As we experience God's forgiveness, we are called to extend the same grace to others, reflecting His love in our relationships. [21:21]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:17] - Pleasing the Lord
• [00:53] - Quality Over Quantity
• [01:18] - Motives Revealed
• [02:37] - Examining Our Motives
• [03:57] - Living Before God's Face
• [05:26] - Working Out Salvation
• [06:18] - Unconscious Sin
• [07:12] - Self-Justification
• [09:01] - Reverence for God
• [10:23] - Transformation Process
• [12:54] - Daily Cross
• [13:37] - Limited Time
• [15:27] - Nature of Christ
• [21:21] - Forgiveness as Nature
• [27:20] - Fear of God and Forgiveness

1. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
2. 1 Corinthians 4:5
3. Philippians 2:12-13

1. According to 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, what will happen to our works when they are tested by fire? How does this relate to the quality of our actions? [00:32]
2. In 1 Corinthians 4:5, what does it mean that the Lord will bring to light what is hidden in darkness? How does this relate to the motives of our hearts? [01:31]
3. Philippians 2:12-13 talks about working out our salvation with fear and trembling. What does this passage suggest about our role in spiritual growth? [05:26]
4. The sermon mentions the Pharisees' tendency to justify themselves before others. How does this behavior contrast with living before God's face? [04:24]

1. How does the testing of our works by fire in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 challenge the way we evaluate our actions and motives in our daily lives? [00:32]
2. What does it mean to live with a reverence for God, as described in the sermon, and how does this reverence lead to wisdom? [09:01]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of forgiveness as a natural response. How does this concept of forgiveness differ from viewing it as a duty or obligation? [21:21]
4. How can the process of spiritual transformation, as described in Philippians 2:12-13, become a natural part of our lives rather than a conscious effort? [13:37]

1. Reflect on a recent action you took. What was your motive behind it, and how can you ensure your future actions are aligned with glorifying God rather than seeking personal validation? [02:37]
2. Think of a situation where you felt the need to justify yourself to others. How can you shift your focus to seeking God's approval instead? [04:24]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God in your daily life, and what practical steps can you take to ensure this reverence leads to wisdom? [09:01]
4. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with forgiveness. How can you work towards making forgiveness a natural response, reflecting the forgiveness you have received from God? [21:21]
5. Consider your current stage in your spiritual journey. What steps can you take to move from "crawling" to "running" in your faith, allowing Christ's nature to increase within you? [10:23]
6. How can you apply the concept of working out your salvation with fear and trembling in your daily routine, acknowledging your weaknesses and relying on the Holy Spirit for transformation? [05:26]
7. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to act for the sake of reputation. How can you remind yourself to act with integrity and sincerity, focusing on God's glory? [03:57]