Acts 17:16-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

What would you be willing to do for money? This is often the basis of many game shows. The alure of quick wealth will make people do strange and unusual things. Eat bugs. Be covered in spiders. Talk with complete strangers in a manner different than normal. When the motivation is right, people will indeed do things that they otherwise wouldn’t.

But there are far stronger motivators than money. The reason why we listen to others will vary based on the circumstances, however, we’re willing to do far more for some than others because of our motivation. For instance, many will help a friend far quicker than a complete stranger. Parents will go to great lengths for the care of their children. Yes, fear and love are often the strongest motivations we have.

Jesus tells us just as much when it comes to our faith. As Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” John 14:15. It’s because of our love for God, for Jesus that we listen to him, that we hold his word as precious in our hearts. Or vice versa, we keep Jesus’ commandments because we love him. We’re willing to do what he tells us, even if it isn’t our first desire, because we’re motivated by love.

Of course, we know that we don’t always listen to our Lord, or other authorities for that matter. When we stop listening, we show by our actions that we do not love them. We do not care for them. We show that our motivation is rather one of selfishness and sin. As Jesus says, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me,” John 14:21. If we have his commandments, yet do not keep them, we show that we do not love nor believe in Jesus.

It’s for this reason that Jesus departs to return to his Father. He knows that we are incapable of keeping his commandments, of loving him perfectly as he desires. Thus, we have the promise of the Helper, or Paraclete. This is the “Spirit of truth” who will come from the Father and Son to aid us in this life. “You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you,” John 14:17. The Spirit will come to dwell within us, so that by the power of Jesus death and resurrection, he may fill our heart with faith and love for God. It’s the Spirit who motivates and animates the Christian in their walk of faith to love God and love their neighbor. It’s the Spirit who leads us into all truth so that we can know the very love of God for us. For by God’s love, we shall be moved to love one another!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!