For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. – Isaiah 48:11
Sin is very deceptive! I have found that I can have the wrong motives for defeating sin. I would try to defeat sin to show the world that I am holy and upright. I rationalize: Christians are to be the light of the world. Look at me! In these times, I must renew my mind and remember that my motivation for defeating sin should be primarily for God’s glory. The driving force for sanctification should NOT be a desire for people to “look at me” or a desire to avoid the natural discomfort and consequences of sin. Those reasons are primarily for my own benefit.
Mike Cleveland quotes Judges 7:2 and explains the importance of realizing God’s jealousy for His own glory. Only when we understand this will we have lasting victory over sin. (Mike applies this concept to the issue of sexual impurity, but the principle is applicable for any sin.)
And the LORD said to Gideon, ‘The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ – Judges 7:2
Do you see it? God had to REDUCE the size of Gideon’s army so that, when they won the battle, Israel would not claim glory for themselves. This could be the very reason why we have not been successful in finding permanent freedom from impurity in the past, because God has not wanted us to boast in ourselves, or in a certain method or program, or in following the advice of some guru. God desires His glory to be great in our salvation. (Psalm 21:5) God works for His own glory! … Is our motive in desiring to break free to honor Him, or ourselves? Are we working with Him, or are we at cross-purposes with Him?
… there is great hope in having the glory of God as our motivation! If we have a purpose in our hearts to glorify God, then we are working in concert with God, and He will enable us to do what we seek to do.
Let us check our heart and the desires that underly what we do. Our desires for overcoming sin, longings for achievement, respect, and success must be ultimately for the glory of God. I need to ask myself: what really motivates me to get my degrees, desire a family and have lots of money?
Is God the blazing center of my universe? We must desire to please and glorify Him: For from Him, through Him, and to Him are all things. To God alone be all the glory.
I think there is a lot of truth to what you are saying, but when I examine myself I find a much simpler message; “Be Holy, for I AM Holy.” When I consider this I find that even motivation to Glorify God can be self serving. Mind you I am not saying that it always is or that we should not seek to do so, but at least in my own walk I find myself wanting to glorify God for some sort of self validation. If only I were doing enough good to make God lifted up…
I find myself now instructing myself that any good works that are to come from me, should come simply because God said to do it and I should obey. Submission of yourself to His authority out of love and reverence for Him lends itself to a focus on building your relationship with Him. Then, God-glorifying deeds come naturally and without having to focus on your own personal motives.
It’s just like when I help a Christian brother out when he is in need. It isn’t because it will glorify God, although it does, but rather because he is my brother and I love him in the name of Jesus. I know that we are like minded and the unity that comes from that gives me a desire to love him. By choosing to focus on these things it prevents wrong motives entirely. This is why God instructed us in this way:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
That you focus on is what you will chase and the reason that you focus on it is why you chase it. The fruit of your motives, then, are what is either pleasing or displeasing, glorifying or de-edifying to God.
Hey Jon. I think we agree more we know it. =)
I agree that our desire to glorify God is often tainted with a desire to glorify God.
Sin can be so deceptive.
I agree with you that there is much to be said of obedience, simply because God says it. (Psalm 51:4, Luke 15:21, Genesis 39:9) But I believe we must do things with faith, believing that obedience will glorify God and that he delights in obedience.