A Greater Motivation Than Fear

Daily Devotions

David Maxson
06/25/15 - Daily Devotions

Reading for June 25th: Psalm 66-69
Weekly reading for June 21-27: 2 Corinthians 6-9

"Therefore go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,
and I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty."

2 Corinthians 6:17-18

I remember as a child fearing judgment day. The scene I had imagined was of standing before a giant screen that played back all of my sins before God who was judging me.

I must be honest and tell you that fear is still a strong motivator, and I'm guessing I'm not alone. We all do things that are wrong and dread having to face those things in judgment.

So, if this fear is so much a part of our thinking, why do we not change and do better? Why do we continue in sin when we fear judgment?

It is because fear by itself is not sufficiently strong enough to transform behavior. Fear is a key part of our motivation. The Bible is filled with warnings of judgment. But fear is not the only motivation given us in the Bible, nor is it the greatest.

The greatest is love.

Instead of simply dreading judgment, we should embrace the idea of a proud Father welcoming us as His children. This vision will drive us to heights of righteousness that fear alone can never reach.

What manner of love you have given us, O Father, that we should be called your children! Help this thought to drive us to purify ourselves even as you, O God, are pure!