The promise of the Gospel is that you don’t have to motivate yourself! The motivation comes from God who is at work in us. We just have to choose to cooperate with that He is already doing.
By faith, you believe in God’s ability to accomplish his work in your life.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NIV) - May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You are not alone. God is working for your growth. He is working to make you like his Son, Jesus.
God is committed to your growth.
John 17:19 - And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
What an incredible promise: Jesus is so committed to your growth and holiness that He gave His life as a holy sacrifice! That’s commitment. That’s love. That’s the power of grace.
Ephesians 1:4 - Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
God not only wants us to be holy--He has already chosen to make us holy in Christ!
Our motivational power: God wants and is working for us to be sanctified.
2 Timothy 2:13 (NASB) - If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
Matthew 14:24-32 - Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” 32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.
Growth is not accomplished by trying hard, but by trusting Him.
Philippians 2:12b-13 - Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Trust means: We work out what God works in.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV) - May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Jude 1:24 - Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.
Hebrews 12:12 - So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 - The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
The goal of becoming completely like Christ will never be fully realized by any of us while on this earth. What are the practical and personal ways that you keep from getting discouraged as you reach for a goal you won’t reach until you get to heaven?