If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do.
2 Corinthians 5: 14 The Message
What motivates you? The Apostle Paul knows that some people viewed him as a little extreme. It seemed that he would go to any and all lengths, in order to win people over to the gospel. Paul worked at meeting people where they were, in order to share the love of Jesus.
“I became all things, to all people, in order that I might win some.” First Corinthians 9:19, describes the extent to which Paul would go with his evangelistic efforts.
His motive and message was constant, and unchanging. Paul did anything, and everything on his missionary journeys, and throughout his ministry for one purpose: Christ’s love.
The love of Christ should be the first and last word in everything we do. In a world where many are motivated by all sorts of desires, and mixed motives, Paul’s clarity of purpose stands out. May we be as clear and committed in our missionary efforts.
“Do not waste time wondering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did.”
C. S. Lewis
Prayer
God of love,
When I am tempted to give less than my best- when I am tired, or overly busy, or distracted by many things- remind me of Your desire for focus in our lives. Call me back to my first love-Your love for me. Help me to heed Christ’s instructions to me, and to all of His followers: to love Him, and to love others as ourselves. May people look at my life, and see love for Christ as the first and last word. I pray this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
