27 August 2013 - motivated speaking

27 August 2013 - motivated speaking

But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the Gospel,
that is how we speak,
not as trying to please men,
but rather God, who judges our hearts.

Are we trying to please God in our speech, above all?

Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know,
or with a pretext for greed–God is witness–
nor did we seek praise from men,

It is easy to speak with ulterior motives even if we are speaking about God.  It might not immediately seem like flattery or greed.  Yet we use him to make ourselves feel better or others feel better.  We use the Almighty to build our own egos.

Similarly, the Pharisees focus on certain matters loosely connected to God to pad their own status.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin,
and have neglected the weightier things of the law:
judgment and mercy and fidelity.

But the LORD judges the heart, as we read above.

You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

We might even fool ourselves with such speech.  The call today is to check our motives.  We have to put God first.  Even if we're talking about him and feeling good it doesn't necessarily mean it is serving his kingdom.

We will know that our speech is sincere when we have the heart of Paul.

With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you
not only the Gospel of God, but our very selves as well,
so dearly beloved had you become to us.

It is no longer just about words.  It is about love.  It is about giving all of ourselves for God and neighbor, not for status and appearance.

He is so close to us.  Our relationship with him is prior to any words we utter.  He knows our words before we even speak them.  Let us therefore offer our words and, indeed, our whole being to him.

Behind me and before, you hem me in
and rest your hand upon me.