Pure Motives
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40
The heart of Christ was helping those in need. In this conversation, he points out the heart of His followers. The individuals described here are helping the helpless, the poor, the sick, the stranger, and those in prison. The picture given is one of lives lived on mission to help other people.
Recognize the motives of those that served. These people were not working their way to God, trying to improve their standing. Jesus says that as they were serving others, they were serving Him. Serving those in need was the same as serving Him. But, the people didn’t recognize they were serving Jesus, as they were just serving people that needed help. Their motive was pure, from the heart, with no other purpose than to help those that needed help.
Similarly, recognize the humility from the pure motive. When recognized by the King, they question the recognition. Rather than taking the accolades, they are baffled at why He would call them out. They genuinely thought that they were simply helping others. They weren’t looking for recognition or glory. They just wanted to help.
Help those in need. This is a natural by-product of a heart that overflows with the grace of God. The recognition of the grace that one has been given drives a passion to help, to serve, to come alongside others. The recognition of undeserved grace humbles.
But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, Romans 5:20
Grace comes from the hands of a holy God, as one doesn’t get the justice deserved. Without the recognition of grace, man lacks humility and looks for glory. However, with grace comes humility and pure motives.
Impact others. Live generously.
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