Inner Thoughts With Abba

I was laying in my bed, talking with Abba, when I had a thought on the motivations for obedience and kindness. Kind acts include deeds of service, charitable giving, donations to the church, and other things.

I wondered if Jesus agreed to become our saviour because of the glory that comes with it or because He had compassion for lost mankind and wanted to save it. Since Jesus was God and already had all glory, it was beneath Him to take on human form. What a blessing that God took on human form so that we can be saved and exalted to divine status. Wow, Jesus did this out of love and a desire to see man and God reconciled. Jesus was the epitome of love, and saving people out of love was his reason for coming to earth.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

I wondered if we perform charitable deeds out of compassion for those in need or out of a desire to gain advantage over them. I considered this as selfish selflessness, when the kindness appears charitable on the outside but is self-serving on the inside. People are kind to others because they want to feel good, look good, or own the other person. There are moments when only you and God can determine your motivations.

As Christians, love should always be our first motivation. We receive Jesus’ love and express it to others. Always examine your motives for carrying out good deeds. If you battle with the desire to control people when you do something for them, consider assisting anonymously if possible. Helping anonymously removes whatever control you may have and allows God to aid you. You must consciously recognise that you are a means by which God blesses others; do not Lord it over them.

It is good to give and to be kind, but make sure that your motivation is love and that you are not doing it to make the individual feel obligated to you. The bible mentions the benefits of generosity and kindness, but it doesn’t state that you will reap these benefits in the same spot where you sowed your compassion. Jesus died for humanity, but God rewarded Him.

When I notice that I am expecting anything from someone because of something I have done for them, I remind myself that they owe me nothing. God is my rewarder, and He owes no man anything.  I discovered that other people find it difficult to accept assistance for the same reason—they don’t want to feel obligated to anyone. I used to be like that, but I’ve since realised it’s okay to accept assistance. God blesses men through men but be discerning to avoid receiving a debt disguised as a gift.

Please feel free to share your own experiences either as one who someone tried to control or as a giver who is being intentional not to control.

I appreciate you sticking with me all the way. You may have read this and haven’t accepted Jesus into your heart or feel like you’ve lost your way in the busyness of life.  I would like you to say this short prayer: “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge you as my Lord and personal saviour. I repent of my sinful ways. I ask that you come into my heart and make it Your dwelling place.  Lord Jesus set me free from all lies, bring me into Your truths and fill me with the Joy that comes from Your truth.”.

Shalom Light Bearers!!!