There are different reasons why we serve God, and why we go to church. Two men went to the temple to pray, a Pharisee and a publican, but each had a different motive. Because of their motives, one was justified and the other was not.

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:10–14

One received a blessing from God and the other did not. Even the good deeds that are done from wrong motives have no value. “He should understand the nature of the two principles that are contending for supremacy, and should learn to trace their working through the records of history and prophecy, to the great consummation. He should see how this controversy enters into every phase of human experience; how in every act of life he himself reveals the one or the other of the two antagonistic motives; and how, whether he will or not, he is even now deciding upon which side of the controversy he will be found.”  –Education, p. 190

These two antagonistic motives are selfishness and love to God. A selfish person cannot believe the word of God, and seek salvation, and eternal life, and seemingly pay the price that is required for heaven.

Many times we are not aware of our own motives. What we call love to God can be selfishness. Judas was following Christ, but from the wrong motive. He wanted a worldly position in the kingdom of Christ.

But the motives can be changed.  “The natural inclinations are softened and subdued. New thoughts, new feelings, new motives, are implanted. A new standard of character is set up—the life of Christ. The mind is changed; the faculties are roused to action in new lines. Man is not endowed with new faculties, but the faculties he has are sanctified. The conscience is awakened. We are endowed with traits of character that enable us to do service for God.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 98–99

“When Jesus speaks of the new heart, He means the mind, the life, the whole being. To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from the world, and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?—A changed life. There is a daily, hourly dying to selfishness and pride.”  –Messages to Young People, p. 72

Many have correct deeds—keeping the Sabbath, paying tithes, and doing missionary work—but all from wrong motives, from selfishness, just to have heaven and eternal life. When selfishness is the motive for serving God, people do as little as possible. Their service to God, their sacrifice, and giving is just what is required, and nothing more. They are not going the second mile. But when love to God is the motive, we do more than what is required, we do all what we can; our sacrifice has no limit.

Eliezer, The servant of Abraham asked from Rebecca only a drink for himself, and she offered it immediately, and said, “I will draw water for the camels also.” This was the sign that Eliezer was looking for, the second mile.

Doing all what is required is the first mile, from duty; but the second mile is from love. Jesus spoke a parable of the sower, and some seeds fell upon stony ground.

“They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” Luke 8:13

They had great emotional experiences, the gospel appealed to them. With joy they receive the word, are baptized, and become members of the church. They seem very enthusiastic. They find fault in others, who are not as good as they themselves. But under the surface there is a rock which is not visible, and it is the rock of selfishness. When trials and tests come upon them, they fall away, because there is no root. What is this root that was lacking?

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.” Ephesians 3:17

“Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” Colossians 2:7, 17

When this takes place, trials and afflictions will not make us fall. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35–39

Our roots are our motives, and all our thoughts, words, and actions stem from the motives or roots. “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.” Romans 11:16

If the motives, which are invisible to the human eye, are holy, then the branches, our actions, are also holy, which are visible.

A selfish person loves himself more than he loves God. He would rather receive than giving to others. He loves money, it is his idol. He enjoys a lazy, comfortable life. All the good he could have done, but did not do, will stand against him in the judgment.

Idleness is a sin. Our time is very precious, it must not be wasted.  “Take a book with you to read when traveling on the cars or waiting in the railway station. Employ every spare moment in doing something. In this way an effectual door will be closed against a thousand temptations.” –Gospel Worker, p.279

Jesus said, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

When we have the right motives and the love of God fills our hearts, then we will be interested in helping others and doing missionary work. We will meditate on the law of God every day. Our greatest enemy, which is selfishness, will be overcome. Then the reason why we serve God will not be just to gain heaven and eternal life, but our love to God will make us serve Him and to sacrifice all to Him and to His cause. This kind of service will guarantee us the gift of salvation and eternal life.

May the Lord help us to gain the right motives. Amen.

Timo Martin