Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Motivating Factor

If you are looking for the posts about
God's Amazing Blessing Announcement—I'm moving!
here's the link to the first Part: 

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.
There are 10 parts in all.
I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—
and God took care of each and every one! 

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This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon.
Yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you just for what I am—I, Paul, an ambassador [of Christ Jesus] and an old man and now a prisoner for His sake also— Philemon 1:9 (AMP)
In verse 8, Paul notes that he could demand, Philemon to fulfill his request, as it is the "right thing" to do. But here in verse 9, Paul doesn't want the "do it or else attitude", rather, Paul would like Philemon to fulfill his request simply out of love, and respect for who Paul is. 

Love. That is a great motivating factor. And this isn't the "I feel gooey" love, rather this love based on Christ and what He did for all of us. It's not a feeling, rather love is a decision. Paul is basically saying, "Because I love God, and I then love you, I act in accordance with God's Word, and I'd like you to do the same."

Paul also makes three other reason clear on why he can is and making this request: 1. He is an ambassador (apostle, chosen by God), 2. He is an old man, 3. He is in prison for preaching God's Truth. 
·Love [Loyalty] and ·truth [faithfulness] bring ·forgiveness of sin [atonement for guilt]. By ·respecting [fearing] the Lord you will avoid evil.  Proverbs 16:6 (EXB) 
Instead, by truth spoken in love, we are to grow in every way into Him—the Anointed One, the head. Ephesians 4:15 (VOICE)
When a heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then the love God has for us, and the love we have for God, will be evident in our speech and actions. Doing things because of the love of God and love for each other, is the ultimate motivating factor. 

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