What's My Motivation?

An old Newsboys song poses the question: "What's my motivation?"

In a time when even Christians don't seem to agree on what a believer's life ought to look like, this seems like a good question to ask.

The world observes us closely, to see what sort of a testimony we present; and it is telling that they often complain that we are too worldly. We seem to care about exactly the same things that they do, and only see Jesus as a more Church-y means to the same ends they are chasing.

Many of us have heard -- and perhaps even said-- the line,

"Come to Jesus and your (marriage, family, work situation, investments, addictions etc.) will get better."

Many in the world see this for what it really is: your basic Bait and Switch.

It looks something like this.
Premise One: "I believe that nothing I say about the Person of Jesus will persuade you to worship him."
Premise Two: "I believe that you might be persuaded to 'try' Christ, if you think there are additional 'perks' in seeking him, and after 'trying Christ' you will be convinced of His goodness, and will be converted and worship him."

What's wrong with this?
Wow. Where should I start?

1) If you appeal to temporal benefits, rather than eternal ones, the absolute best (scare quotes) "convert" you can hope for is the pseudo-convert of Mark 4:18,19.
2) This does not properly emphasize the true nature of sin/redemption/repentance/new birth... giving the "convert" a false assurance of salvation. ("Of COURSE I'm saved, I said the prayer.") If someone later presents the ACTUAL Gospel, they might dismiss it as redundant.
3) God is robbed of his glory. If you have to sweeten the pot to make God more attractive, you are making the declaration that the temporal world has greater intrinsic worth than the God who made it.
4) You cast doubt on why YOU are following Christ. It will be assumed that God is merely a means to YOUR end.
5) In using this tactic, you are behaving as a functional atheist. You are relying on your own persuasive ability to convert your subject. You have elevated yourself to the role of Holy Spirit and have put Him out of a job. Contrast this to Paul's approach in Thessolonica.

[Parenthetically -- Preach the atoning death and resurrection of Christ, and the repentance from dead works. Let the Holy Spirit supply the conviction and the New Birth. He's the only one who can anyway.]

If the New Testament believer has a greater hope than the Old Testament ones (and we do), should we not have a confidence on God that at least measures up to the Old Testament prophets? Consider Habakkuk, chapter three:

¹⁷ Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Is poverty or suffering a means of measuring piety? Absolutely not.
But neither is health or wealth.
If you have something, be (humbly) grateful to God for it.
Whether you do or not, be glad that you have God himself.

(If you do not, all the benefits this life offers are dust and ashes in the light of eternity. Be reconciled to God in Christ while you still have the chance.)

If opposition and suffering are part of the Christian pilgrim's life -- and they are! -- inviting people to a Candyland Christianity is more than just a disservice..,

It is an outright lie.