The sanctuary will be cleansed. Our motivations must be purified.
By Robert J. Wieland

7. ROOTS OF SIN CAN NEVER BE CLEANSED FROM HUMAN HEARTS UNTIL SPRINGS OF MOTIVATION ARE PURIFIED

  • Principle of self-centered motivation is Satan's unique invention. Isa. 14:12-14. (The highest form of self-seeking motivation is desire for reward in heaven, or immortality. All non-Christian religions built upon this foundation).
  • Christ came to demonstrate a new motivation--agape-love, which is completely self-emptying, "even the death of the cross." The same mind is to be in us. Phil. 2:5-8.
  • Genuine New Testament faith is a heart-appreciation of this heavenly, unworldly motivation of agape-love. Eph. 3:14-19; Jn. 3:16.
  • Paul goes on to explain that failure to appreciate this new kind of motivation leaves us immature "children." Eph. 4:11-14.
  • A true Bride is no longer a child, nor does she marry for money or for any self-seeking motivation. Marries because she appreciates her husband, responds genuinely to his love. Paul sees the Church as Bride of Christ. Eph. 5:22-32. (Compare Rev. 19:5-9. Babylon is "the great whore" whose spiritual motivation is purely self-centered, and knows no appreciation of agape-love. Doctrine of natural immortality makes true motivation impossible).
  • Genuine righteousness by faith in time of cleansing of sanctuary is a "truth in love [agape]" that makes it possible for people to "grow up into...Christ" as a true Bride relates to her husband ("head"). Eph. 4:13-16; 5:22, 23; 2:4-9; 3:8-12.
  • A concern for honor and glory of Christ, rather than for their own personal security, motivates God's people in the "hour of God's judgment" or vindication. To "fear" Him is to reverence or appreciate His true character of love. Rev. 14:6, 7.
  • Moses and Paul are examples of individuals who grew up to appreciate true agape-love, the self-emptying motivation. Ex.32:31, 32; Rom. 9: 1-3.
  • When a people or church grow up to appreciate the same motivation of concern for God's "glory," the "harvest" will be "ripe" and Christ will come immediately. Mk. 4:26-29; Rev. 14:14, 15.
  • Laodicea does not realize that her basic spiritual motivation is self centered, childish, poverty stricken, shameful. Rev. 3:14-17.
  • In His being sent "in the likeness of sinful flesh" Christ was tempted to surrender to same self-centered motivation, yet He "overcame." Laodicea too will "overcome." Jn. 5:30; 6:38; Heb. 4:15; Rev. 3:21.
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