Articles
What is the Christian's Motivation Pt-4
What is our motivation? Part 4
What motivates people to become a follower of Christ and what motivates us to remain faithful until death?
1. To avoid Hell
2. To gain Heaven
3. Positive lifestyle
4. Delighting in God
Ephesians chapter 1 describes a multitude of spiritual blessings we enjoy when we are in Christ:
* God chose us in Christ (v4)
* We are holy and blameless before God (v4)
* We were predestined to be adopted as sons through Christ to God (v5)
* He freely bestows us with grace (v6)
* We are redeemed in Christ, through His blood (v7)
* We are forgiven (v7)
* He has made known to us the mystery of His will (v9)
* We have an inheritance (v11)
* We are sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise (v13)
As we learn about God, sin, Jesus, His atoning sacrifice, and our opportunity to respond to the gospel with dedicated faith, we put the Lord on in baptism and God showers us with these blessings. As we continue to grow in the Lord, we learn just how special it is to be a part of the Lord’s body, the church! We continue to learn just how special it is to be a citizen of God’s kingdom!
* We are sanctified (1 Corinthians 6:11)
* We are washed (1 Corinthians 6:11)
* We are justified (1 Corinthians 6:11)
* We are purified (1 Peter 1:22)
* We are reconciled (Romans 5:10)
* We are freed (Romans 6:6-7)
* We are made alive (Colossians 2:13)
* We are saved (Titus 3:5)
The longest recorded prayer of Jesus is found in the book of John, chapter 17, while He was still in the upper room with the apostles at the Last Supper. In this prayer to His Father, He says in verse 2-3, “even as Thou gavest Him authority over all mankind, that to all whom Thou hast given Him, He may give eternal life. And this is eternal life that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent.”
To know God and Jesus Christ IS eternal life! He goes on in verse 22-23, “And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity...”
Christians are one with God and Christ. His Spirit lives in us! What a blessing it is to enjoy the awesome blessings God has freely given to us! It’s an honor to humbly serve Him and do His will in all things!
