Why do some professing Christians make loving and serving Jesus their keystones while others are satisfied to tip their hats to Him for an hour or two a week at most? Are they on the same team?
The first group wants to become more like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, while the second wants to be like God. Let me explain. It is a hangover from the serpent’s temptation of Eve, “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil” (Genesis 3:5 NLT).
What motivates those who serve God versus those who don’t? Dan Pink hints at it when he writes that engaging deeply in work requires autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Autonomy means people do things their way. Mastery means they are confident and competent. Purpose means they contribute to some bigger, greater good.1
Interestingly, God has autonomy, mastery, and purpose. His ways are far beyond what humans can imagine (Isaiah 55:8). He knows everything about everything with nothing too difficult for Him (Jeremiah 32:27). His purpose is to use the church to display his rich wisdom to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places through Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3:10–11).
Uncommitted Christians pursue autonomy, mastery, and purpose unconnected to God who made them to fulfill His purpose (Ephesians 4:10). Their work should be their ministry, but it isn’t.
Their culture influences them more than their “faith.” Apart from emergencies when they pray, they live largely independently of God, contrary to Hebrews 10:38—"righteous ones live by faith” (Hebrews 10:38 NLT).
The uncommitted unconsciously try to be like Him by doing things competently their way for some “bigger purpose” other than loving and serving God. That purpose is an idol that replaces God’s purpose for them.
The Bible mentions three things that drive people that Dan Pink doesn’t. Pursuing physical pleasure, wealth, and pride-filled accomplishments motivates non-Christians and uncommitted Christians (1 John 2:16). What Pink says about motivation may be true. What the Apostle John writes is unquestionably true.
So, what motivates committed Christians so consistently that it is recognizable evidence of their commitment? The Apostle Paul wrote, “As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 NLT).
Jesus-anchored faith, love, and hope explain how fully devoted Christians live. Their activities are faith-driven. They live by their faith in God. It is His gift and a defining characteristic (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Their faith works. It takes risks for Jesus. As yeast makes bread rise, their faith enables them to rise and walk the high road. God’s grace flows to them through the channel of trusting Jesus. They can’t please God without it (Hebrews 11:6).
Their love is also God’s gift. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s control in their lives. It doesn’t give up with the first whiff of difficulty. It is a putting up with, overcoming, sometimes sweating, giving it all one has, and laboring unto exhaustion, love. The Apostle Paul describes it well.
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (1 Corinthians 13:4–7 NLT).
Hope is the confident expectation anchored in Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and second coming that God keeps His promises and the best is yet to be. It is an all-wheel drive persevering hope through all the opposition the world, flesh, and devil muster to derail and discourage Jesus’ followers. Hope endures.
Faith, hope, and love separate committed and uncommitted Christians. Are they on the same team? See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians. #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources
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