Motives

Friday, October 25, 2024

Motives – Acts 19:13-17 Submitted by Kay Crumley

As I studied Acts 19, I was forced to ask myself why I do the things I do. What we do is important but more important is why we do it. People can do admirable things but sometimes for the wrong reasons. We may offer a helping hand or encouraging word that is beneficial. But if that is done so other people can see our generosity rather than our seeing a need that we have the means to help with, then we have the wrong motives. As Christ followers we are to have the heart of Jeus and see through His eyes. Paul had one purpose, as he stated in 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I didn’t think it was a good idea to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Any motive we have for our words, actions, or attitude that does not align with the character of our Savior we must examine. Paul set an example for us to live a life that brings honor and glory to Him alone.  

Acs 19 places Paul back in Ephesus to teach, encourage, and expand the Kingdom. The first 12 verses describe his challenges and achievements. He taught in the synagogue to the Jewish community but was rejected. He then turned to a Gentile lecture hall and became the teacher there for two years. He taught daily from 11 AM to 4 PM spreading the gospel and seeing many Gentiles being converted to the Christian faith. Verse 10 This went on for two years, so that all the resident of Asia, both Jews and Greeks heard the word of the Lord. Read that carefully, he taught for 5 hours daily for two years in the same place. The result was that ALL the people of both cultures heard the gospel. He must have drawn some big crowds. People came from all around to hear and then tell others about the gospel. God was moving in and around Ephesus because of Paul’s teaching. Don’t forget Paul’s motive was to know nothing to teach about except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. God blessed Paul in an amazing way by using him to heal people. He didn’t just heal by praying over or touching the sick people. God enabled the handkerchiefs and aprons that Paul wore to be used to heal the sick and drive out evil spirits. The Holy Spirit was present and active in all Paul did. By the power of God illnesses were healed and evil spirits were driven out. 1 John 4:4 tells us why this was possible, because the one who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. However, as we would expect Paul was met with opposition. 

13 Now some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this. 15 The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them, overpowered them all, and prevailed against them, so that they ran out of that house naked and wounded.  

A Good and Kind God

 Thursday, October 24, 2024

Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4

A Good and Kind God

How are God’s kindness and goodness tied together? What is the result of His goodness?

Some of the religious Jews that Paul was speaking to believe their position gave them special exemption from God’s judgement. This also caused them to become judgmental towards the “sinful Gentiles.” They had become complacent about sin in their own lives when assuming they were exempt from judgement. Paul explained that out of God's goodness and kindness, he draws us towards Him and repentance instead of judgement, because no one is exempt from judgement. 

God's mercy is not indifference or weakness. It is meant to be inspiring to us – to spur us on to good works and to keeping our heart pure and our walk straight. 

Because He is good – completely and thoroughly good – He is kind. The riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience leads us to repentance where we receive His mercy and forgiveness. No one will ever be more kind to you than that. He could destroy us because of our sin or choose to never save us but in His kindness and goodness He does not. 

God doesn’t have to have us to do His will and His works. His plan could fully function without us because He is God. But He is so good and kind that He loves us and saved us when we were so unworthy. We still are unworthy! But in Him we become worthy. He wants a relationship with us. He doesn’t need it. He doesn’t need anything or anyone – He is God. He doesn’t need us but He knows we need Him. Without Him we are headed for eternal separation from Him. But in His kindness and goodness He has given us 

When we are broken by our sin we welcome repentance. We can rest assured in the goodness and kindness of God that He righteously judges all people. He is rich in kindness, and when we repent, He does not hold the past against us. When we are ready to confess and repent, He is ready to give mercy, grace, and forgiveness. His kindness and goodness draw us to Him and towards repentance, and away from sin and judgement.

When we experience the consequences of our sin, He is not absent. He is with us in all the circumstances of our lives. His presence and His grace run through our lives from the moment we become His to the end. His grace helps us through these times and helps us to do and be all He plans for us. 

We could never qualify for His grace and forgiveness on our own and the best news is that we don’t have to because what Jesus did on the cross has satisfied and covered all of it. We can stop denying it and hiding it, and instead confess and repent. He has covered it all for us – for every sin we have committed and will ever face. He is the perfect sacrifice for all.