Not good, good works.

There are so many opportunities these days to serve in the church not only in the local church but also Christian organisations and businesses such as Christian charities and schools. But with all the works, all the growth and maturity we can so often get caught up in, the challenge is really this-if at some level our motivation is about us, in our hearts, then we actually fall away from living according to the purposes of our salvation.

Being reconciled to God in all things means that all of our actions and motivations are also reconciled to God, at least, that is the Biblical purpose in our reconciliation, i.e. that Christ would actually be our everything: the reason for everything we do and the goal of what we do.

So in everything, let Christ be the reason, and in everything, let Christ be the goal. this is the result of true Christian maturity. If we preach in order to gain credibility, respect, a job, if we serve coffee because we simply want to belong and join in, then it is not done for Christ, even if we give to the poor and serve the homeless yet do it for our own sense of satisfaction and worth, then we miss the purpose of our salvation.

The challenge of 1 Corinthians 13 is this-if we do anything for ourselves, even the most sacrificial works, then it means nothing for it is done without love.

It doesn't mean we are not saved, and I am not promoting a works approach to Christian living as that would simply be another step in the wrong direction, works based living is simply another form of what I have already mentioned, not doing things for Christ but for performance or trying to hard to earn what we have already been given.

But I am writing this for the purpose of merely highlighting what can end up becoming another form of works based living. On the outside living for God, in our hearts, living for ourselves. It is something to bring before God, for a truly empowered Christian life is one that lives for God and grows in that whether doing international missions or the washing up for our families.

It is not something that can be forced, but I believe when we are aware of an issue, we then have the chance to bring it before God and allow his power, by his grace, to change and mould us surrounded by his love as the source of any good change in Christ always has God's love and grace at the centre. Be empowered, it can be challenging but the fruit is worth it for the fruit is Christ himself, living for him, by him and through him in all things.

Let Christ be the reason, let Christ be the goal.

Colossians 3:17 'and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him' (NIV1984).