Motive

This word means “reason or rationale” behind doing something. If I do something, I must have a reason behind that action. My motives are not always obvious to everyone else. I sometimes ignore my motives and just spring into action. There is always a motive behind every activity.  I think it’s simply to decide whether and action is right or wrong. It’s a much deeper level to determine motive.

When police are investigating a crime that’s been committed, one of the things they are looking for is motive. The police call it “MO” or “mode of operating”. When Jesus was arrested and brought to Pilate, he figured out what was going on. Check this out…

¹⁵ Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. ¹⁶ This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. ¹⁷ As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” ¹⁸ (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.) (Matthew 27:15-18 NLT)

Envy is a very common motive that is hidden. I must check my heart often to make sure that I don’t give envy a foothold in my heart.  In fact, I must keep a close check on my heart with all my motives.  I do like being noticed. I like being acknowledged. I like compliments. I must be careful that my motives are pure.  My motives reveal my heart.

The Lord wants all my actions to come from a place of bringing glory to Him. My life is His. I belong to Him. If I’m doing anything that is good, it’s because of Christ in me. My motives should always be to make Him known and to draw attention to Him and not me.  This one little line in the story of Jesus before Pilate reminded me that our motives will often come to the surface.  I must check my motives very often before taking action.

Pressing On!

Dwayne