Because of Him

/ kwameowusubaafi

2 Samuel 9:1

New Living Translation (NLT)

One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

For meditation

“My reason for taking your call is because I respect you”, the voice at the other end said. He was tired of their marriage, and was seeking divorce. He was not going to change his mind, but out of respect for the man, he picked his call.

Motive! It defines the integrity of our actions. It gives us a view into the heart of the giver, and allows the receiver to craft an appropriate response. When overlooked, one would always be deceived. That is why God cannot overlook our motives for everything we do.

Because of David’s love for Jonathan (1 Sam. 20:17), and the oath of friendship between the two men and their descendants (42), he showed God’s kindness to Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s only surviving son (2 Sam. 9:1, 3). And he was a cripple and undeserving!

  1. So, can we show God’s kindness to one another because of His love and kindness to us in Christ (Titus 3:3-6)?
  2. Otherwise, why do we do what we do? Do our actions have integrity before God?
  3. Are our motives godly? Are we sure they are driven by His love and our selfless devotion to Him (Jn. 3:16; Rm. 5:8, Phil. 2:5-8)?
  4. Shouldn’t the glory of God be our motive for everything we do (1 Cor. 10:31)? Isn’t that going to be the basis for our judgment before Christ (1 Cor. 3:12-15)?
  5. With such exalted perspective, can we forgive one another? Can we give without expecting any reciprocal action or praise from the receiver? Can we show kindness to one another for the sake of Christ?

I pray we recognize that just as everything Christ did on earth was motivated by His love for the Father, so does He expect us to do everything because of our love for Him.

So: May God’s love and kindness in our salvation (Titus 3:3-4), motivate us to do everything for Christ; and may our reward be multiplied to us in heaven (Matt. 25:40).

Only our actions motivated by love for Christ will stand before Him in judgment.

Shalom

 

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