Love My Motive

"My son, keep your father's command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. ²¹ Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck. ²² When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you."

Proverbs 6:20-22

 We've been studying through Proverbs on Friday nights at Calvary Chapel Sydney.  It's been a terrific time of in depth exploration and discussion.  The preceding verses have been on my mind and heart of late.  Adherence to the Law was focused on external conformity under the Old Covenant.  People could fulfill the demands of the letter of the Law without inner transformation.  The Pharisees were outwardly holy men, but were filthy within.  They kept the Sabbath according to the Law and the oral traditions, but they nursed envy and murderous intentions in their hearts.  After Christ established the New Covenant of His blood, we are no longer governed by an external set of regulations.  Jesus did not destroy the Law but fulfilled it.  The Holy Spirit regenerates and takes up residence in the heart of every Christian, leading and guiding us into all truth.  He washes us clean of our sins when we repent, takes away our heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh.

Jesus told His followers in John 15:12:  "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."  Instead of walking according to the flesh, we are called to be led by the Spirit.  Romans 13:8 says, "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law."  The first and greatest command is that we love the LORD God with all our heart, soul, and might.  Everything we do, therefore, is to be motivated by the love of God.  It is love that must be bound upon our heart, speaking of our motives.  The importance of our motive cannot be overstated.  It is the love of Christ that constrains us as we follow His example of obedience to the Father, service, and sacrifice.

Some people have this concept of God's commands tying us down, holding us back, or dragging us along.  Obedience to God's commands is not an "Old Testament" thing, as John states in 1 John 5:1-3:  "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. ² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. ³ For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."  Jesus says that if we truly love Him, we will do what He says.  When love is our motive, it is like a lead tied around the neck of a well-trained dog.  When a dog is trained to heel, he is not to pull on the lead or be dragged around by it.  The lead is an extension of his master.  When the lead is fitted to his collar, the dog learns to follow the lead of his master.  He stops walking and the dog sits, looking to the master.  The dog does not resent the lead, for the lead is his freedom.  God's commands are not intended to burden or confine us, but rather free us to enjoy the presence of our Master wherever He leads.  No matter where we find ourselves in life, no matter how unfamiliar the territory, we can look to our Saviour and He will graciously lead us through everything we face.

One thing God has always desired is to be with His people and to commune with them.  Whether we sleep, are awake, or roam, God will direct us in the way that pleases Him.  Is love for God your continuous motive for the things you do?  Is it the love of God that constrains you and leads you in every circumstance?  If we love God, we will keep His commandments.  Those who love one another fulfill the Law!