Love and Motives

1 Thessalonians 2:5-8, “⁵ You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. ⁶ We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. ⁷ Instead, we were like young children among you just as a nursing mother cares for her children, ⁸ so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

We must be about God’s work with a humble spirit and a desire to see God’s will done Many times we are about what is in it for me. Ask yourself about your motives. But this verse also explains the type of Spirit we should have with others. We should be humble in spirit and attitude not lording over others a position in the church or even the authority given us by position or title. If Paul would refrain from it that are we to hold it over others we must always remember to live a life that shows the peace and love of Jesus to those we meet.  One more rabbit trail Galatians 5:22 we talk about the Holy Spirit bringing us gifts of the Spirit but I had this pointed out yesterday and had never seen it before but when we read the scripture it tells us: ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” There is but one fruit and the other eight listed are manifestations of the one we must Love one another without love none of the rest will ever be available to us. In verse eight what does it say that they loved them? Without the love of God we are not able to live uprightly. Be sure your motives are built around Love for one another as God first loved us.