John 14:15 - What Motivates You?

John 14:15:
“If you love me, you will obey what I command..”

Parents hope their children will love them -- and not just love them -- but obey them, too.

Our parents knew that most of our problems with disobedience came from a lack of attention -- we would get distracted -- enticed -- tired.

When we got off the track, they would apply a remedy to remind us -- a gentle swat on the bottom -- a measure of time set off to ourselves -- an undesirable chore to do. You know what worked with you!

Punishment is a time-honored way for parents to encouraging discipline. In fact, when most people hear the word “discipline,” they think of punishment. It has a way of encouraging good behavior because the discomfort of the punishment is worse than obeying the rules.

But, at some point, punishment can lose its effectiveness. Were there times when taking the punishment was more attractive than doing what your parents wanted? Did you get too big to discipline effectively, (or just developed a thick layer of calluses where you sit?)

Parents are smart, though, and when they see punishment is not working, they often turn to the other time-honored method of getting results -- rewards!

A reward can help keep our attention focused! -- How many parents have given rewards for good behavior -- filled little pockets with coins for weeding the garden, or helping to keep rooms clean?

But -- like punishment -- a system of rewards can become less effective, especially when children become young adults and they decide the reward doesn’t merit the effort needed to attain it. Did your parents have enough money to reward you for good grades in college?

Punishment and rewards both have a place in discipline. Each has a time, a place, and a purpose. Both, though, have a point where they can become ineffective.

Hopefully, before that time comes, a parent has been able to build up momentum -- a sort of critical mass -- where the discipline of their children is not based on either punishment or reward, but in stead is based on their love for their parents.

Motivation based on how much pain can be avoided, or how much of a reward can be obtained, does not have a long life. But, when a child has a love for his parents, there is no end to their wanting to please them -- even well after their parents are gone.

Love is a much better system for motivating and maintaining discipline. Jesus knew that. He hopes our obedience is a fruit of our love for Him.

God can give you more than you can imagine, and can punish you beyond your fears -- there is a Heaven, and there is a Hell -- a reward, or a punishment.

God, our true Parent, wants our affection and obedience.

Yes, we should both fear Him, and look to Him for our source of life -- but the true motivation He desires for our obedience to Him is to come from our love for Him.

1 John 5:2-4:  This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Jude 1:3 - Beware of Change

JUDE 1:3
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.

Isn't it strange how things often never change? Jude's warning is as vital today as it was 2000 years ago. There is always a need to defend against change. Some areas of life need change . . .  Worshiping God needs no change. God wants us to worship Him as He directs.

Sometimes we step beyond our authority and try to make changes that make sense to us . . .  However, if the changes are not in line with what God wants, no matter what we might think, they will not be acceptable, or do us any good.

Jude's use of the word, "defend," also gives an insight into change . . .  It is something we must actively watch for and guard against. We sometimes make changes that we don't even realize we are making -- even those changes will not be acceptable.

Luke 2:5 - Joseph: A Good Father

LUKE 2:5
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

How little credit we give to Joseph. He had to be a man of great faith, discipline and love. In a time when such things were not acceptable, he was seen as a man who had had sex with a woman before they were married.

Now, at the time and location of this verse, most would have no idea, but back home in Bethlehem, I am sure many knew the dates of events, and doing the math, had a very suspicious thought about the morality of Joseph and Mary.

Joseph could have washed his hands of the whole "mess," and in fact had contemplated how he could leave Mary, and do it in a way that her reputation might not be trashed.

Had it not been for a visit from the angel, Jesus might have been from a broken home. Mary might have had to lead a much different life. Jesus might have been an only child.

However, Joseph was a man of faith and character. When he was presented with the whole situation, he was determined to do the right thing.

What would it be like for him -- knowing his first child was not his? Was it any consolation to him to know who the real father was?

Joseph apparently deserves more credit than we give him, for sure. Jesus followed in Joseph's steps as a carpenter, so He learned a skill from him. Joseph was also the one who modeled what a father was to Jesus. How many times did Jesus refer to God as a father, and yet maybe we were shown a part of that role being played by Joseph?

The role of the father is an important one.  I wish the world's men understood that role better.