Driven....
Galatians 6:11-18 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
[12] Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. [13] Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. [14] May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. [15] Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. [16] Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.
[17] Finally, let no-one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
[18] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
What is at the centre of your life? What motivates you to keep going? What determines which goals you will achieve, and how passionately you will work towards fulfilling them? What drives you on?
Is it success at work or study and the adulation of your peers? Is it recognition or fame? Is it financial security and material wealth? Is it ease and peace? These are important questions for us to answer, because we remember that Jesus said “Where your treasure is, your heart is also.” That which drives you is that which you worship, which you pour your soul into. It is what you will sacrifice all to achieve, so much so that you won’t care what other people think.
It’s easy when it is the same as those around you. For western people professional achievement and material comfort are goals which most of those around us are pursuing, so when we pursue them too it is considered normal behaviour. But for believers we should pursue Jesus: an intimate, devoted relationship with him, which transforms our actions and attitudes to mirror his, even when that stands in opposition to the prevalent culture around us.
This is Paul’s motivation. He is not content with a quiet life, of going back to the old rules, because despite the ease it promises, it is wrong. He’s not interested in the respect of his peers by following the rules, because to live that way does not honour Jesus. He won’t show off how good he is at obeying them.
No, what Paul will shout about, what will drive him is the Cross. It is the memory of what Jesus achieved for us, in reconciling us to God, and in the mission that he left all who believe in him to make the message of the cross known to the world. It is such an important message that it dominates his life. Paul will face hardship, trial, ship wreck, beating, imprisonment and execution, because he shares the mission of Jesus as the most important thing in his life – and here’s the truth: it should drive ours too.
What is at the centre of your life? What motivates you to keep going? What determines which goals you will achieve, and how passionately you will work towards fulfilling them? What drives you on?
[12] Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. [13] Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. [14] May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. [15] Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. [16] Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.
[17] Finally, let no-one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
[18] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
What is at the centre of your life? What motivates you to keep going? What determines which goals you will achieve, and how passionately you will work towards fulfilling them? What drives you on?
Is it success at work or study and the adulation of your peers? Is it recognition or fame? Is it financial security and material wealth? Is it ease and peace? These are important questions for us to answer, because we remember that Jesus said “Where your treasure is, your heart is also.” That which drives you is that which you worship, which you pour your soul into. It is what you will sacrifice all to achieve, so much so that you won’t care what other people think.
It’s easy when it is the same as those around you. For western people professional achievement and material comfort are goals which most of those around us are pursuing, so when we pursue them too it is considered normal behaviour. But for believers we should pursue Jesus: an intimate, devoted relationship with him, which transforms our actions and attitudes to mirror his, even when that stands in opposition to the prevalent culture around us.
This is Paul’s motivation. He is not content with a quiet life, of going back to the old rules, because despite the ease it promises, it is wrong. He’s not interested in the respect of his peers by following the rules, because to live that way does not honour Jesus. He won’t show off how good he is at obeying them.
No, what Paul will shout about, what will drive him is the Cross. It is the memory of what Jesus achieved for us, in reconciling us to God, and in the mission that he left all who believe in him to make the message of the cross known to the world. It is such an important message that it dominates his life. Paul will face hardship, trial, ship wreck, beating, imprisonment and execution, because he shares the mission of Jesus as the most important thing in his life – and here’s the truth: it should drive ours too.
What is at the centre of your life? What motivates you to keep going? What determines which goals you will achieve, and how passionately you will work towards fulfilling them? What drives you on?
posted by Gordon at
9:16 am
1 Comments:
Good questions which give scary answers. Until you stop and think about it, you kind of assume that it is wanting to do God's will or passion for Jesus that is driving you. Then you answer those questions and realise it isn't, or isn't completely, (anyone else had that experience?).
You think you've dealt with this potential motivation or that one when they are listed (money, fame etc) but when you answer those questions seriously...
I think I'm at least partly striving for order and to do things well rather than for God. I can imagine the guys from church (especially camp team!) laughing when they read this, which makes me think its even more true.
Man!
By
Louise, at 8:02 am
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