On the Basis of Love

"Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,  yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love." Philemon 1:8-9

Have you ever done something because you wanted to do it instead of being forced to do it? Of course, you have. When it comes to something fun and exciting like a trip to an amusement park or some adventure, we do not have to be motivated to act. Even when it comes to acts of kindness or charity, we often feel compelled to get involved; especially during the holidays. However, when it comes to being a Christian, there is this idea put forth that everything we do in our lives is motivated by following a command to do so. It is as if we wouldn't want to do certain things if we weren't "commanded" by God to do them. There was a time, not long ago, where I all, but lost a friendship simply because I said that Christians don't have to go to church. The person I was speaking to could not believe what I said. To their ears, it was as if I said, "Don't go to church." What went unmentioned is the suggestion that if Christians aren't commanded to do something they wouldn't do anything at all. Yet, we are the ones that constantly talk about how Jesus Christ changed our hearts, but somehow don't feel we would be motivated to do anything without being given a command. If you asked your average Christian why they go to church, they would probably respond by saying something like they enjoy the teaching, the community of believers, the church programs, or something similar. Once in a while, someone may say they go to church because they are "supposed to." If we applied this same logic to our personal lives, you will understand the point I am trying to make. Do you love your spouse, children, family or friends because you're supposed to? When it comes to husbands, the Bible says, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25) ..." Is not that a command for husbands to love your wives? I guess you could look at that way. But, consider this; if you're a wife and your husband told you that he loves you because the Bible told him to, how would you feel? You probably wouldn't feel loved at all. Yet, this is the message we can convey when we discuss the Christian life; that our motivation for living it comes from our responding to outward influences instead of from a heart changed by an encounter with the living God through faith in Jesus Christ. This entire subject can be summed up as the difference between law and grace.

When Paul wrote Philemon, we catch a glimpse of him trying to appeal to Philemon through grace rather than through law. He says he could "order" Philemon to act a certain way, but is hoping that Philemon would want to respond according to his own desire and will. That is the Christian life. It is a life of wanting to do something because God is changing your heart, which changes your desires, rather than simply be forced to do something regardless of if you want to or not. When I said Christians didn't have to go to church, the fact that I had been faithfully attending my church for over a decade was lost on my friend. There are different motivations for doing the things Christians believe we are to be doing. There is no "command" in the Bible that says a Christian must go to church. However, if a Christian has truly had an encounter with Jesus Christ, they will want to be around other believers. A husband won't love his wife because he is commanded, but because his heart has been changed by her and by God. Being commanded to do something keeps the focus on the individual's behavior. It is a life that says to God, "Look at what I'm doing for you." I am going to church. I am giving my money. I am confessing all my sins. I am loving my spouse. And on and on. Just the way the Law likes it. Being motivated by grace and what Jesus has done for you, keeps the focus on God and off yourself. It is looking at life as if Christ is saying, "Look at what I did for you." I made you the Church because I live inside of you. I gave My life for you. I took away your sins. You are My bride. And much more. When a person is experiencing the love of God that only He can provide, through faith in Jesus Christ, they become naturally motivated to do the things many people seem to believe can only come from being commanded to do. When people are motivated by the love of God, all the things others command them to do will come naturally. The question to ask is, "Are you willing to die to all self-effort and rest in the saving grace of Jesus Christ?" If the only reason you are motivated as a Christian is that you feel God is commanding you to behave in certain ways and do certain things, you need to reevaluate what it is you believe about the Gospel and the life of Christ. " Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10)." My prayer is that you do not need to be ordered on how to live your life as if you are under the law, but that you can be appealed to on the basis of love because you know and are getting to know your God, in Christ.