Honest Motives Before GodSýnishorn

Christ-Centered Motives

For us to win our battle with sin, we need to fight it in a Christ-focused way. The Bible tells us that we are to set our minds on heavenly things where our life is hidden with Christ in God. We are not to focus on earthly things. We are a new man. It’s a reality. God put His power within us by the virtue of salvation.

The battle we fight with sin is real. At the same time, we have to be careful not to pay too much attention to ourselves. Some Christians lose their peace entirely, worrying if they are living godly lives. They question every decision they make. They always wonder if they act with godly motives. Such believers focus their attention on themselves. They try to live righteously in their strength. God did not design us to live in a self-focused manner.

Self-examination is good, but it never needs to descend into a place of morbidity. We should not be constantly dissecting ourselves. That is paralyzing in nature. We need to set our minds on Christ by fully accepting the truth of our salvation. This truth is accepted by faith. It is not accomplished by us overthinking our motives or focusing on ourselves. Paul warned the believers about this when he said that we are saved by grace through faith. Our salvation is not based on our works so that none of us can boast about it. Moreover, the good motives that we want to have in our hearts are deposited there by God who empowers us to do and to will according to His purposes. 

The more we focus our minds and hearts on the Lord, His Word, and His will for us, the more righteous our motives become. We do not need to strive to have pure Christ-centered motives. What we need to do is fall in love with the Lord and delight ourselves in His presence. The Bible says that the Lord will give us the desires and motives of our hearts. Paul boldly declared this truth that every Christian can embrace—we are crucified with Christ, and we no longer live in our strength. It is Christ who lives in us.