There are many motivations that can be observed in our lives that demonstrate why we do what we do.
For instance, let’s look at the law of the land. If I don’t break the speed limit, it’s not because I love the law, it’s because I fear paying a speeding ticket. If not for fear of the ticket, I would probably speed more than I do.
However, my motivation for not speeding cannot be applied to the whole law, just some of it. For instance, I don’t abstain from murder because I fear the consequence of prison.
In the instance of speeding, my motivation is fear – fear of losing some money. But in the instance of murder, my motivation for not breaking this law is not fear of the consequences, though the consequences be severe. No, my motivation for not murdering another person is love.
In general, I love people. I don’t pat myself on the back for this either. I give God full-credit. I didn’t use to have a general love for all people, but I’ve learned to do so and have been enabled to do so because of how God has loved me. I want to please God and to be like Him, and part of that is loving people.
A purer motive for not speeding would be not speeding because I know that God doesn’t want me to break the laws of the land (Romans 13:1).
Why talk about these different motivations?
I talk about them because our motivations are a major Biblical topic. Our motivations reveal what we truly care about and they also reveal what motivates us.
We often talk about how the ceremonial and judicial law was fulfilled in Jesus, but what we don’t often talk about is the law that replaces the ceremonial and judicial laws. What I’m talking about is the law of love.
Do you realize that it was the intention of Jesus that we love one another in a deeper and more profound way than anyone ever had loved before? Not only was it an intention, it was a commandment.
In John 13:34-35, Jesus said, 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
What does He mean by calling loving one another a “new law?” It was new in the sense that the Jews never loved their neighbor as they did themselves, as the law commanded (Leviticus 19:18).
It was also a new command to love as Jesus loved – a completely unselfish and sacrificial love.
How does this relate to the law? The law of the land has some to do with our rights and the rights of others. The law of love gives up rights for the sake of the love that we have for others. When is the last time you gave up a right in order to express your love for another?
Jesus said that when we love others like He loved us, all men will know that you are His disciples.
Much love!
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
