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ACTIVE FOR THE LORD Manipulated or Motivated? Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. This is a clear statement of God’s desire and purpose for His people. Acts 17: 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: This gives His demands upon the entire human race. The question is: How are men moved toward meeting God’s expectations? I They can be manipulated to make an outward appearance of conforming. A. This means the will of the Manipulator is being done. B. They can be Motivated, which means their wills have been changed. They obey God because they want to do so. II Manipulated professions of faith; II Much child-evangelism and ‘soul winning’ methods fall into this category. A. Asking an entire class of children to pray for salvation. B. Peer pressure professions – some youth camps are a good example of this. C. Positive reinforcement professions – i e “You don’t want to go to hell, do you” (nod your head to elicit the correct response) You believe Jesus died for your sins, yes? Then repeat after me – Lord, I accept your free gift of salvation, Thank you, Amen! Of course this is a condensed, perhaps exaggerated version, but it goes on much too often. No place for the Holy Spirit to convict, nor for repentance. D. Salvation to ‘qualify’; "I can’t date you unless you become a Christian (or join my church), or Marry, or run around with you." While these should be criteria for a Christian, it is not the way to lead a person to Christ. They must repent and commit themselves to Christ because they are convinced (Paul used the word ‘persuaded’) of their condition before God, and accept the remedy God has provided, not to meet someone else’s conditions. III Motivated Professions of Faith A. How God motivates sinners 1. By the hearing of the word Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 2. By the convicting of the Holy Spirit Jno 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 3. All this is kindness, leading to repentance Rom 2: 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? B. Our part in motivating sinners; 1. By presenting the word I Cor 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 2. Convict them by your Godly living I Pet 2: 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 3. Appeal to their sense of self-preservation Jude 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Judgment, hell, fire and brimstone are all powerful motivating factors when coupled with things previously mentioned. IV Manipulated into service – A. Many like to be manipulated to temporary service because it provides a temporary high with no lasting commitment! Examples: “Help me win a contest”; Match MY efforts: Win a prize (sample offerings I’ve heard of range from a big mac to a new car) B. Others fall into a trap and then resent having been used! V The Bible always speaks of true service as having been MOTIVATED A. From the standpoint of personal gain – 1.Temporal blessings Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
2. Eternal treasure 4. Bridal relationship |
