Proper Motivations For the last few weeks, we’ve been dealing with some difficult topics pertaining to: Unity & What Will It Take to Unite Believers Self-Reliance as the Enemy of Faith, Hope, & Love What to Do About Feeling Inferior Our Problems with Grace Liberty: Law, License, & Love The Applications of Liberty (Attendance, Modesty, and Giving) All of which are more or less related to…

Proper Motivations Though loosely related to all of these topics, our lesson today is especially designed to “wrap-up” (for now, at least) our discussions of the application of liberty in the areas of attendance, modesty, and giving. Previously, it was established that while Law (N.T., of course), or the absence of it, might allow us some license of liberty in these exemplary areas, love would restrict the application of our liberty to that which was in the best interest of others, cf. 1Cor.6:12; 10:23-24.

Proper Motivations What all of this means is that while there may not be a “Thou shall” or “Thou shall not” to govern every aspect of our service to God, like “How much do I have to give?” or “How often do I have to attend?” or “Where is the line for what is too short, too low, too tight, too whatever?”, There should be an attitude of “I will” or “I won’t” do this because it is the greatest spiritual benefit to me and/or others to do so. So, let’s spend a few minutes considering what should be our motivations for attending, giving, and being modest in our dress and conduct.

Proper Motivations In the absence of a Law that says “Attend services three times a week,” what should be our motivation(s) for attendance?  First, understand that your Elders see potential benefits in providing additional opportunities (besides Sunday AM) for us to gather to study, sing, and pray.  But the wisdom of “providing additional opportunities” because of potential benefits does not add up to a command. Heb.13:17 must balanced with 1Pet.5:3.  No Elder(ship) has the right to make Law(s), or to coerce obedience to rules that God has not made.

Proper Motivations But what should be our motivation(s) for attendance?  Love of God, Mark 12:30  Longing for the pure milk of the Word, 1Pet.2:1-3.  Hungering and thirsting for righteousness, Matt.5:6.  Desire to be with family and to praise God, Acts 2:  Stimulate & encourage one another to greater love and service, Heb.10:19-25.

Proper Motivations What should be our motivation(s) for giving?  Proving the sincerity of love, 2Cor.8:8.  Fellowship (joint-participation) in the work of this congregation/family, Acts 2:41-47; Rom.12:4-8.  Sharing physical things because of spiritual ties, Acts 4:32-35; Rom.15:25-27; 2Cor.8:4-5,  Desire to support the preaching & teaching of the Gospel, 1Tim.3:15; 1Cor.9:9-14; Phil.4:15-17; 1Tim.5:17-18.

Proper Motivations And what should be our motivation(s) for modesty?  Conceal our nakedness, rather than to reveal or draw attention to it, Gen.3:7 > 21; cf. Rev.16:15.  Help prevent lust (which can be stimulated by sight or touch; if it is improper for someone to touch that part of your body, then why reveal or accentuate it to them?), 1Pet.3:2; Matt.5:28.  Avoid drawing attention to ourselves outwardly, 1Pet.3:3-4; 1Tim.2:9-10. (Ladies, if you ‘get your man’ with the shallow appeals of outward beauty, don’t be surprised if he’s too shallow to stay when they fade!)  Prevent shaming others with excessive hairdos, gaudy jewelry, and expensive clothes, 1Tim.2:9; 1Pet.3:3; and to prevent encouraging partiality, James 2:1-12.

Proper Motivations See? If we love God, His Word, One Another, and The Lost, as we should, We can use the Liberties Christ provides us in His Law with the proper License of Love to the benefit of everyone!