As I begin a new year, I am asking myself : What is it that will keep me going this year? For example: What will keep me faithfully on task when I am being severely criticized and unappreciated? What will prompt me to sacrifice when it seems that no one else is sacrificing? What will keep me giving to help the needy and not become cynical? What will cause me to give of myself when I am sorely tempted to look for ways to maximize my own pleasures? In other words: What will be my motivation this year?
Motive is that which prompts an individual to act. For the Christian, there is a dominant, recurring theme in God's redemptive plan which prompts them to act. A good example of this motif is found in the following statement:
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:9 ; (ESV)
"Grace" includes the message of Jesus' death and resurrection, His atoning work, peace with God, remission of sin, and the Lord's abiding presence. The grace of Jesus was demonstrated in His becoming poor for our sakes. Never in the entire history of the universe did anyone abandon so much in order to become so poor for so many.
The grace of the Lord Jesus is the dominant, recurring theme in God's redemptive plan. And for those who have truly received such grace through faith in Christ, this grace begets grace. Simply put, we are to be an instrument through which God's grace reaches others. We do this while remaining faithful, by sacrificing, by giving, by serving.
At C.C.C. we have adopted the above verse as our theme for 2007. This will be where we realign ourselves with a proper Christian motive in order to engage ourselves in the great cause we have been called to.
Do you want to be a part of a great cause? Them come and join us.
Pastor Van Morris
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