If we could see into hearts as God can, we could be sure of someone's motive as he or she interacts with us.
God has something to say about motive (Proverbs 3):
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure everything out on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!He says trust and listen for his voice, and we don't have to know it all. We don't have to present certainty as our face of belief beyond Christ crucified. This says to me that God will keep me on track. I can give up my certainty about issues beyond loving Jesus and loving others. Then God can trust that my heart only wants what he directs. My work is to learn to listen to his voice and practice what he teaches (I John 4):
This is how we know we're living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also we've seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses Jesus is God's son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God.
God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day--our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life--fear of death, fear of judgment--is one not yet fully formed in love.
The command we have from Christ is blunt: loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both.The motive of my heart is to learn to share the fragrance of the Gospel. That fragrance is love served to others, energized by staying in intimate relationship with God through Christ crucified. I am free to ponder the magnificence of God, and listen and share doubts and questions from myself and others.
If the motive of a conversation is to know and love God and each other better, there is no wrong place to start.
If the motive is to trap someone in his or her words so hopefully he or she slips and falls, there is no right place to start.
May God guide our motives and our hearts. Lord, please help me learn to grow love well.
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