Stuck in a Rut?
Do you find that your level of zeal is low? Do you need more enthusiasm in your service to the
Lord? The majority of us would probably have to answer with a definite “Yes!” to these questions. The simple fact is that many times in our lives, our spiritual fervor is not quite what it ought to be.
Although we understand Jesus’ distaste for those who are lukewarm (Revelation 3:15-16Revelation 3:15-16
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15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
), sometimes we must admit (if we are honest with ourselves) that we ourselves fall into that very category. Sometimes in our lives, we get into a spiritual rut, and we just need a lift to get out. The question then is, “how do we get out of the rut?” What is it that can get us going? How can I be more motivated?
Types of Motivators
When it comes to matters of motivation, it must be recognized that there are two different types or forms – external and internal. Many times, we seek the external forms of motivation to get us moving. External motivators generally result in temporary and superficial results. These kinds of motivators include things, such as giving your children an allowance or any other type of reward to influence their actions and behavior.
These kinds of motivators can be both positive and negative. For instance, one can be motivated to certain actions or behaviors by giving compliments on the positive side or by offering criticisms on the negative side. Sometimes, people pick a job or profession based primarily upon how much money that job might pay. Working primarily for a paycheck though is just another type of external motivation. When it comes to finding that job or career, Leon Estep, Professor at Amridge University, has well stated “to follow your passion and not your paycheck. When you do that” he says, “you’ll never work a day in your life.” While external motivators can be good at times, they only really offer short-term shallow solutions.
Internal motivator,s on the other hand, are long-term and essential in our spiritual lives. Having this form of motivation causes us to be more passionate and enthusiastic about the cause of Christ. It can move us to be more zealous and to be more eager to serve. Well, how can I be more internally motivated? How can I be more enthusiastic? The word “enthusiasm” literally means “God within”. In order to be motivated as we ought to be, we must have God indwelling us. How does that happen? It happens through one’s personal internalization and growth in His holy divine word (Colossians 3:16Colossians 3:16
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16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
; Ephesians 5:18-19Ephesians 5:18-19
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18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
; 1 John 3:241 John 3:24
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24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
; Ephesians 3:17Ephesians 3:17
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17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
; Romans 10:17Romans 10:17
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17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
).
The Apostle Paul’s Formula for Motivation
The apostle Paul was one who was definitely highly motivated and full of zeal in his life and service to the Lord. A look into the way in which the apostle Paul was motivated internally can help us to be more passionate and productive in our own lives and service to the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:8ff is one section in Paul’s writings whereby he identifies specific internalized motivators that energized him in his passionate ministry to the Gentiles.
The “Desire” Factor
The first factor in Paul’s motivation formula was his own personal longing to be present with the
Lord and accepted of Him (2 Corinthians 5:8-92 Corinthians 5:8-9
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8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. labour: or, endeavour
). In another place, he would say, “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better” (Phil. 1:23). According to Thayer, this word “desire” in this passage means “craving, longing”; and in a negative sense, he shows that it means “desire for what is forbidden, lust.”
Even before becoming a Christian, Paul (then Saul of Tarsus) wanted more than anything else to be pleasing unto God (Acts 23:1Acts 23:1
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23
1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
; Acts 26:9Acts 26:9
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9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
; Philippians 3:4-6Philippians 3:4-6
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4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
). Whenever he learned that his former life as a Pharisee of the Pharisees was in error, he repented and changed directions in his life. This primary goal and passion began to be to serve the very One he had once persecuted others for worshipping and serving (Philippians 3:7-8Philippians 3:7-8
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7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
). This desire and longing that Paul had internalized motivated him to attain the goal for which he had long awaited (2 Timothy 4:6-82 Timothy 4:6-8
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6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
).
The “Knowledge” Factor
The second factor that can be seen in Paul’s motivation formula concerns Paul’s anguish over the lost (2 Corinthians 5:10-112 Corinthians 5:10-11
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10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
). Paul says, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men. . . .” Paul did not have the concept like many do today that grace covers all and that all roads lead to heaven.
A few years ago, Oprah Winfrey stated, “One of the mistakes that human beings make is that believing that there is only one way to live and that we don’t accept that there are diverse ways . . . there are millions of ways . . . and many paths to what you call God.” This kind of thinking may be the common culturally accepted concept of our society today, but it is completely contrary to the truth which Jesus taught. Jesus said the way to heaven was narrow and that few would find it (Matthew 7:13-14Matthew 7:13-14
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13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: strait: or, narrow
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Because: or, How
). He taught that even sincere religious people would be among those who would not find the way of salvation (Matthew 7:21-23Matthew 7:21-23
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21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
). This would be because though they might be religious and sincere, they would not do the will of the Father. Jesus taught that the only way to eternal life was through him (John 6:44-45John 6:44-45
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44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
; John 14:6John 14:6
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6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
).
Paul understood that one day all will stand before Christ at the judgment and that sadly most will hear those words “Depart from me.” He understood that at the judgment, every person will give an account of how they have lived (2 Corinthians 5:102 Corinthians 5:10
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10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
); we will be judged by the Bible (John 12:48John 12:48
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48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
); and Christ Himself will be our judge (John 5:22John 5:22
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22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
). With this knowledge of the “terror of the Lord,” it is no wonder that Paul had such a deep concern for the lost to plead with them (Acts 24:25Acts 24:25
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25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
) and pray for them (Romans 10:1-3Romans 10:1-3
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10
1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
).
The “Constraining” Factor
The third internal motivating factor for Paul for his sacrificial service was the love of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:142 Corinthians 5:14
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14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
). Paul said the love of Christ is that which “constraineth” him. The word “constraineth” has the meaning “to hold together with constraint, to compress” as in forcing “a ship into a narrow channel” or “to hold fast” as “of a prisoner” (Thayer). As a great ocean liner might enter into the Panama Canal, Paul was brought in from all worldly concepts of love into an understanding of the perfect love of Christ. This love was sacrificial and selfless (2 Corinthians 2:152 Corinthians 2:15
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15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
). The love sees every person as valuable, because they are made in God’s image and not because of their appearance or ability (2 Corinthians 2:162 Corinthians 2:16
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16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
).
If you find yourself stuck in a rut, then apply the Apostle Paul’s formula for motivation. Internalize the desire to be with Christ and be accepted of Him. Develop a deep recognition within that one day all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Learn of the love of Christ, and let it lead you to a life of fervent service for the Lord.
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Devotional, Michael Carter
on November 15th, 2008
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