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Filling the weaknesses of body and mind – the motivation for change
In my journey of faith, there have been countless moments of being moved, joyful, and comforted by God. Yet, why do I still repeatedly commit acts that displease Him? I’ve resolved time and again to change, but I always seem to fall short halfway through. Gradually, I’ve started to doubt myself. However, upon introspection, I realized these are merely excuses I’ve crafted to avoid change. I’ve also discovered why my numerous attempts to change have failed: my motivations were misaligned.
If our change were a sports car, motivation would be its fuel. If you fill it with diesel, it might break down right at the start; if you use the wrong type of gasoline, it won’t last long. Only the right fuel ensures a safe and sustained journey. 2 Corinthians 5:14 says, “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died.” God could have remained in His heavenly abode, but He chose to take on flesh and taste death for us to eradicate our sins, demonstrating His immense love for us. This is the true driving force behind our change. Obedience born out of fear of God may not always stem from the heart, but obedience that arises from a genuine love for God and a recognition of our unworthiness—motivated by His love—is enduring.
Thus, the motivation for change can be broken down into three steps:
First, we must identify what can keep us committed to change. This motivation is God Himself, who descended from His heavenly throne to endure injustice, ridicule, and torture—all to wash away our sins. We receive His grace freely; isn’t this reason enough to fuel our transformation?
Second, we need to feel God’s love. A faith without experience is unsustainable. Indeed, God’s grace isn’t only evident in grand miracles but is also present in every aspect of our lives. By daily recalling God’s guidance, we can fully appreciate His meticulous love. As is often said, loving someone isn’t just about fetching stars and moons; it’s about the small, every day acts of care and longstanding companionship.
Third, we must recognize our unworthiness. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” We are the ones freely loved; we don’t need to pay a high price for this love—simply adhering to His laws suffices. Yet our actions that displease God trivialize His grace as if His sacrificial blood was insufficient, which amounts to despising this grace. Realizing our unworthiness naturally makes us cherish this grace all the more.
Therefore, we must shift our motivations and transform our mindset to earnestly pursue self-change and better encounter God in heaven. Here, I encourage everyone to join us at our church to experience and seek God together.
I encourage you to join our church, to seek and experience the truth of God! Below are the ten basic beliefs of our church to help you get to know us better.
https://www.tjc-chicago.org/about/basic-beliefs/
Come join us in worshipping and knowing the one True God together in our upcoming Fall Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation.
September 26-29, 2024
Thursday, September 26, 2024 6:50PM to 8:10PM
Friday and Saturday (Sabbath), September 27-28, 2024 9:00AM to 8:10PM
Sunday, September 29, 2024 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Complimentary lunch and dinner will be served.
Please find our church location below:
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
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In the meantime, please feel free to join us for our regular Sabbath (Friday evening and Saturday) services online or in-person.
Friday Evening Service: 7:50PM – 9:00PM
Saturday Morning Service: 10:50AM – 12:00Noon
Saturday Afternoon Service: 1:30PM – 2:40PM
Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org