02/14/2025 – Our Works Must be Motivated by Love
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13: 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Reflection: What motivates people? What motivates you? The greatest natural motivators for our actions are our material needs, our emotions and our desires. Without Christ, all we say and do is driven or affected by these factors. But once we are in Christ, the greatest motivation for our lives must be His love. The Holy Spirit provides the three greatest motivators for our lives: faith, hope and love. To live by the Spirit is to make decisions based on our hope, our faith and, above all, our love.
What is your motivation? What is the internal force that drives you to be who you are and to do what you do? The right motivation is essential for any action to please God. Even if we sacrifice our lives and all we own, it means nothing unless we are motivated by the love of God in Christ Jesus.