a motivational speech
"The exhortation we deliver does not spring from deceit or impure motives." —1 Thessalonians 2:3
The Lord, being all-knowing, "sees right through us." "Nothing is concealed from Him; all lies bare and exposed to the eyes of Him to Whom we must render an account" (Heb 4:13). He sees not only our secret thoughts (see Heb 4:12) but also our motives (see 1 Cor 4:5).
The Lord is very concerned about our motives being pure (see 1 Thes 2:3). He insists that we give our lives purely, exclusively, completely, and wholeheartedly to Him. "The eyes of the Lord roam over the whole earth, to encourage those who are devoted to Him wholeheartedly" (2 Chr 16:9). The Lord has always loved us unconditionally, and He also insists on being loved unconditionally. Throughout our lives, the Lord repeatedly orchestrates events so that we will have no reason to love Him except to love Him for Himself. The Lord will even deprive and test us as He did Job to show us whether we love Him for Himself or merely for the things He does and the blessings He gives. The Lord goes to great lengths to purify our motives. This is one of the main reasons He gives us daily crosses.
Repent, let the Lord purify your motives, and avoid going to hell. Then repent even more deeply, let the Lord purify your motives even more, and go to heaven, preferably without going to purgatory.
Prayer: Father, may loving You be my only reason for living.
Promise: "So well disposed were we to you, in fact, that we wanted to share with you not only God's tidings but our very lives, so dear had you become to us." —1 Thes 2:8
Praise: When her son was gunned down by a policeman's bullet, Margaret urged prayer rather than protest.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Purification / Presentation / Illumination on audio AV 89-1 or video V-89.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard L. Klug, February 27, 2003
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 3, 2003