If a person does something even though he doesn't feel like doing it does that mean his motivations are wrong? Explain.
Well, I don't think it's necessarily wrong. Because, if I don't feel like doing something but I do it anyway out of love then I don't think it's a bad motivation. For example. If I planned to make someone food to help them out and then I didn't feel like cooking but I got up and did it anyway because I knew that it would help them - I don't see how that's wrong. Now if I only got up and did it because I wanted them to Thank Me for it or because I didn't want to look bad because I'd promised to give them something - that would be the wrong motivation. But the desire to do something nice for them in the first place was given to me by God so honoring that desire even though I'd rather not is honoring God.
b. How are our feelings and motivations related?
Our feelings determine our motives. We can have warring desires - wanting to do good, and wanting to be lazy - but our true motivation comes from our feelings. Or perhaps it's that our motives drive our feelings. If we truly want to honor the Lord and we are motivated by our love of him, we feel more joy in all of our actions...
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Lesson Four - Going Deeper Section 1
a. Share a time when you felt pressured by a sense of duty and obligation in your Christian life instead of a sense of joy, peace, and love.
My day to day life is sometimes one of obligation - trying to fit in and trying to be "good"
b. What was the source of this sense of drudgery in your life?
My selfishness.
c. What helped you put things back in the right perspective?
I'm still working on it, but reading and connecting with other people who all have admitted flaws is helpful.
My day to day life is sometimes one of obligation - trying to fit in and trying to be "good"
b. What was the source of this sense of drudgery in your life?
My selfishness.
c. What helped you put things back in the right perspective?
I'm still working on it, but reading and connecting with other people who all have admitted flaws is helpful.
Lesson Four - Exploring Grace Section 9
Take a minute to work on a plan for having the right motives this week.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Before we think WE are solving a problem... He created the problem and He created us. My motive should be to accept my role as a tool in God's workshop. He is in all things.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Before we think WE are solving a problem... He created the problem and He created us. My motive should be to accept my role as a tool in God's workshop. He is in all things.
Lesson Four - Exploring Grace Section 8
In the previous question you may have become aware of some less-than-pure motives in your life. what do you think a person can do to help purify his or her motives in an area.
I think becoming aware of your motivation is a huge step towards purification. Just like with any problem - identifying that you have one is the first/biggest step towards solving it. Once we recognize where our issue is, we can begin to try to stop ourselves before we act out of the wrong motivation.
I think becoming aware of your motivation is a huge step towards purification. Just like with any problem - identifying that you have one is the first/biggest step towards solving it. Once we recognize where our issue is, we can begin to try to stop ourselves before we act out of the wrong motivation.
Lesson Four - Exploring Grace Section 7
Examine for a moment the motivations behind some of your actions. For each area of your life, determine how often you think you are motivated by impure motives instead of pure or godly motives.
Lesson Four - Exploring Grace Section 6
Do you think it's possible to keep your motives pure at all times? Explain.
No it's not possible - we're human and we're selfish creatures. We sin all the time without conscious thought. I don't think the goal is to be perfect or always have pure motives - I think the goal is to try to do everything we can to honor God in all we do. The more we think about our motivation before we act, the better able we will be to glorify Him in all we do.
No it's not possible - we're human and we're selfish creatures. We sin all the time without conscious thought. I don't think the goal is to be perfect or always have pure motives - I think the goal is to try to do everything we can to honor God in all we do. The more we think about our motivation before we act, the better able we will be to glorify Him in all we do.
Lesson Four - Exploring Grace Section 5
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Revelation 4:11
"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
a. List some pure or Godly motives that should be behind our actions.
reverence for God, worship of God, joy in his mercy.
b. What other good motives can people have?
to ease suffering in others, to forgive, to act as God has towards us.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Revelation 4:11
"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
a. List some pure or Godly motives that should be behind our actions.
reverence for God, worship of God, joy in his mercy.
b. What other good motives can people have?
to ease suffering in others, to forgive, to act as God has towards us.
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