The highest motive is often identified when a person, family, community, or country is under duress. For instance, both world wars gave the global public – and nations – opportunities to choose motives that are honorable despite risks, sacrifices, and cost.

Incidentally, it’s helpful to know your personal highest motive. Additionally, to let it propel you into opportunities each day. Also, this gives you influence and purpose.

President Zelensky said – “We know that anything is possible.” (address at Stanford University, Sept. 2, 2021)

Even more significant, Jesus said – “. . . with God all things are possible.” (Mt. 19:26)

So, that means – if your highest motive honors God, it is possible. Let’s explore what this means in practical application.

Motives Matter

Everything you do has some kind of motive. If you are self-aware, you already know some of your motives. People are motivated by root causes that lie under their choices.

Underlying motives are things like:

• Self-protection.
• Pleasure.
• Reputation.
• Loneliness.
• Love.
• Dedication.
• Compassion.
• Promotion of a cause.
• To fight something wicked.
• Fear.
• Insecurity.
• Pride.

 

Interestingly, underlying motives have unique power. They motivate people to think, speak, and act.

Significantly, these motives often determine what you pursue – and what you worship. Motives matter.

Highest Motive

I’m sure at some point, you’ve read legal jargon in official documents and contracts. It gets complicated. Sometimes you re-read it several times to understand.

With this in mind, let’s look at Paul who sometimes uses confusing or difficult language. Still, his writing is so skillful, lawyers in training used to study him.

In this content, let’s extract points of his message about highest motive. Incidentally, confusion slips off when you simplify his basic points.

Highlights from 2 Corinthians 5:11-15:

1. We know what it is to fear the Lord, and we try to persuade others [to fear Him].
2. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you . . . but are giving you an opportunity . . . 
3. If we are ‘out of our mind,’ as some say, it is for God [and] for you.
4. Christ’s love compels us.
5. He died [so you] no longer live for [yourself] but for Him who died [for you] and was raised again.

 

Paul’s life exemplifies living with highest motives. Very sincerely, he cares about people. Further, he takes great care that his highest motive influences everything he says and does. His vision is to pass on “a highest motive” to his readers.

Everything Paul says and does is motivated to please God and to help Jesus followers in their faith. At the same time, his messages are very “to-the-point.” So, let’s look at some of Paul’s messages using common terms:

• Live with joy.
• Walk in confidence.
• Practice the fear of the Lord.
• Know God intimately.
• Trust Christ more than any other person.
• Engage God’s love as the greatest motive.

 

Invitation Into Highest Motive

In essence, the five Scripture points from 2 Cor. form a unique invitation into effective partnership with Christ. You, individually, are invited! Subsequently, have you accepted God’s invitation?

Fear

Let’s start with fear – a common motivator under people’s choices. However, Scripture commends the “fear of the Lord” rather than the “fear of man.”

Let’s define – “fear of the Lord” – by what it’s not –

• Being afraid of God.
• Ducking behind logic or reasoning to hide from God.
• “Performing” to get on His good side.

 

Rather, fear of the Lord is having deep respect, reverence, and a heart of gratitude for God. Remarkably, in this place, you’ve –

1. Begun to know Him.
2. Believe His claims.
3. Cherish Him and what He’s done.
4. Respond to His offer of friendship and partnership.

 

Actually, the fear of the Lord gives more understanding to the first Scripture phrase.

  1. We know what it is to fear the Lord, and we try to persuade others.

 

If you adopt this, you’ll be motivated to keep God central in your heart – as well as inviting others to do the same.

Essentially, the fear of the Lord becomes the framework for your life. Plus, it empowers your reach to others to know Jesus. Further, it eliminates the power of the fear of man.

Central Motives

Essentially, when anything is central in your heart, competing with the place Jesus deserves, that’s what you worship.

“Central” boils down to one thing. What competes for your attention, focus, worship.

Central could be –

• Painful memories you keep re-living.
• Desires you strongly pursue.
• Fantasies of how you wish life would be.
• Or simply – people/things/experiences/pleasures you enjoy.

 

These kinds of things often compete for worship.

If you fear the Lord, your life will be rewarding. Plus, you will include (persuade) others to know Jesus.

So, what is central for you? Your answer will touch on the second Scripture point.

  2. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you . . . but are giving you an opportunity . . . 

 

Subsequently, motives are most powerful when Christ is central.  Essentially, you honor God while providing opportunities to others.

A Fool

When you begin to do everything for God’s glory, the world may think you’re a fool – out of your mind.

They’re not completely wrong. Here’s why. If you’ve abandoned yourself completely to God’s purposes, choosing Jesus Christ over this world and its temptations . . . you DO step out of your natural mind and into the mind of Christ. “You have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2:16b)

Further, you recognize how indebted you are to God. Plus, you rejoice at the opportunity to show gratitude through your life circumstances.

As you accept God’s unique invitation into relationship with Him, you prove you love God back. Plus, you touch on the third Scripture point.

  3. If we are ‘out of our mind,’ as some say, it is for God [and] for you.

 

That’s an incredible life statement with honorable motives that include God and others!

Competing Motives

It is impossible to operate in the fear of the Lord and still live for yourself. Naturally, it’s one or the other. When you become a living sacrifice, you prove your love for God in these ways:

1. Express gratitude for His grace and mercy.
2. Welcome conviction of wrongdoing.
3. Live with confidence in Christ’s forgiveness and new beginnings.
4. Agree with His claims about who He is.
5. Engage full effort to bring your life into congruence with His Word.
6. Give personal testimony to His fresh, new life infused into you each daily.

 

Suddenly, you have influence and purpose. Essentially, highest motives glorify God. Additionally, highest motives have dynamic, positive impact on you . . . and on others.

Likely, you’ll be questioned. Perhaps persecuted. Someone might even say you’re “out of your mind.” Yet, when you avoid the competition of motives (serving God vs serving self), your personal highest motive reflects the fourth Scripture point.

  4. Christ’s love compels [you].  

 

So, go after your highest motive to honor God.  Live with personal purpose and influence over others.

Highest Regard and Respect

Having a deep regard and respect for Jesus Christ, the God-man, drives you to –

1. Bring every thought captive.
2. Align every decision with Scripture.
3. Walk through suffering and troubles with deliberate cheer.

 

Truly, these life choices are radical enough to make others wonder about you. However, those choices bring your greatest influence.

Miraculously, when you respond to God’s extravagant mercy, Christ’s love does compel you, and your heart is transformed. Remarkably, you are willing to do anything for Jesus, even during difficulties. Why? Because you have highest regard and respect for Him.

So, accept Christ’s compelling invitation. Remember, He invites out of deep love for you.

God’s Love

When God’s love commands your heart, you no longer live for yourself – or for anyone else. Further, you want to honor Christ, your Friend and Partner, to accomplish God’s purposes.

To live in God’s love changes you and gives you the highest motive to love Him back.

God’s love totally gives attention to the fifth Scripture point.

  5. He died [so you] no longer live for [yourself] but for Him who died [for you] and was raised again.

 

Jesus died for you because God loves you.

The highest motive you can have is to live for Christ – no longer for yourself. 

Application Thoughts And Questions

1. What motives launch your daily efforts?
2. Do you need to change any underlying motives in your inner life?
3. What is your highest motive?
4. Do you have competing motives in your heart?
5. Is the fear of the Lord your strongest motivation?
6. Do you work to commend yourself – or to provide opportunity for others?
7. Are you ‘out of our mind’ for God?
8. Does Christ’s love compel you?
9. Do you live in Christ’s love and love Him back? 
10. List daily practices you can engage to prove your highest motive.

 

* Portions of this content come from our book – e-Pistles For An i-Generation: Relevant In A Digital Age – a devotional book that takes you through 1 and 2 Corinthians. You’ll find practical action points that help you know God better and nurture personal growth. You can find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.

 

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