Editor’s

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Outward Works or Internal Love?

Is having a sense of accomplishing something by having performed according to someone’s expectations wrong? The answer lies in our motivation. If we do something to receive the praise of others or because it is expected, then our performance would seem to be wrongly motivated. The result of this kind of action is that by taking on pride in our accomplishment and to impress others, is to feel good about ourselves. Such an attitude gives us a sense of self-affirmation and well-being because of what we have accomplished.

What would be the difference, however, if our motivation for accomplishment was rooted alone in love for others and pleasing the Lord? Loving others, and delighting to do our Father’s will, does what it can without needing expectations of praise from others pulling us onward to a specific goal. It is doing something not because we feel an obligation to do it or because we want the approval and praise of others for a job well done. Godly love labors simply because it delights to give of itself. It acts from free will and whole-heartedness and for the glory of God and our Lord Jesus Christ alone. It does good, from a heart of love and because it delights in pleasing God.

Perhaps an illustration might help. Why do we attend Church each Sunday? Do we do so because it is the expected thing to do? Do we go because this is what Christians should do every Sunday? Do we go because, if we do not, others might think less of our dedication? If any or all of these reasons motivate us, then our actions fall into the category of legalism, which always has its focus on self-accomplishment. Legalistic performance is an external force, very much demonstrated by the Pharisees at our Lord’s first advent. On the other hand, if our motivation for what we do is love, there is an internal force behind our actions. Godly love, works from within by the power of the Holy Spirit. External performance is accomplished through human works. In the illustration above love’s motivation would be to attend Church, not only for what we can receive, but primarily desiring to be used of the Lord as His blessing and encouragement to others. True agape love always has the welfare of others foremost in mind, with the result being mutual blessing to both ourselves and those we serve. It might prove beneficial for us to check our motives along these lines.

E. Weeks