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Free PDF eBook<\/strong> containing all of Year 2<\/p>\n Print PDF<\/strong> of this lesson<\/p>\n In nearly everything we do, there is some kind of motivation. There is some \u201cmotive\u201d behind our actions, something that \u201cmoves\u201d us to do what we do. And the truth is, some motivations are more powerful than others. For most people, the more important an activity is, the more powerfully they would like to be motivated. Now think for a moment: if obedience to Christ is the most important activity in life, what would be the most powerful motivation to engage in that activity?<\/p>\n After many years of pondering this question, I believe the scriptural answer is clear: gratitude for grace is our most powerful motivation.<\/strong><\/em> When a person is keenly aware just how serious his sins are \u2014 and realizes that God is willing to forgive those sins anyway, based on Christ\u2019s death on the cross \u2014 there is nothing that person wouldn\u2019t do to show his gratitude for God\u2019s forgiveness.<\/p>\n As Christians, when our motivation to obey the Lord begins to die down, what is the problem? In theory, we all realize we are indebted to God\u2019s grace for the forgiveness of our sins, but at the practical level, our gratitude for God\u2019s grace may not be what it ought to be. For one thing, we may see ourselves as having been good enough during most of our lives that it was no big deal for God to forgive us when we slipped up. Or (and here is the real problem, it seems to me), we simply don\u2019t see the seriousness of our sins, whether they be many or few.<\/p>\n In the story in Lk. 7:36-50, the difference between Simon the Pharisee and the sinful woman who anointed the Lord\u2019s feet was not that she had committed \u201cbig\u201d sins but Simon had only committed \u201clittle\u201d ones. The difference was that she saw the seriousness of her sins, but Simon did not see the seriousness of his. Consequently, she loved the Lord more than Simon and would be more powerfully devoted to Him. Jesus summed it up when He said, \u201cHe who is forgiven little, loves little.\u201d<\/p>\n So let\u2019s work on godly sorrow for our sins, grieving their seriousness. And then, having received the Lord\u2019s forgiveness, we\u2019ll be powerfully motivated to love Him, serve Him, and remain faithful to Him \u2014 all out of joyful gratitude. No one will have to twist our arm to get us to do what is right. We\u2019ll be looking for every possible way to thank our Father for having forgiven us.<\/p>\n Key Idea:<\/strong> It is possible to receive the grace of God in vain.<\/p>\n Questions for Family Growth:<\/strong> In your own words, how would you define God\u2019s \u201cgrace\u201d? Is there any choice on our part in whether we receive God\u2019s grace or not? What would it mean to receive the grace of God \u201cin vain\u201d?<\/p>\n Wisdom for the Day:<\/strong> Proverbs 29:10.<\/p>\n Key Idea:<\/strong> There could hardly be a worse sin than showing contempt for Christ\u2019s death for us.<\/p>\n Questions for Family Growth:<\/strong> How is it possible to crucify again the Son of God and hold Him up to contempt? Can one who is a Christian do that? In 10:29, what should we do when we realize we have \u201ctrampled underfoot the Son of God\u201d and \u201coutraged the Spirit of grace\u201d?<\/p>\n Wisdom for the Day:<\/strong> Proverbs 29:11.<\/p>\n Key Idea:<\/strong> We should see ourselves as \u201cstewards\u201d of God\u2019s grace.<\/p>\n Questions for Family Growth:<\/strong> What is a \u201csteward,\u201d and how should we be \u201cgood stewards of God\u2019s varied grace\u201d? In 2 Chron. 32:24,25, what does it mean when it says Hezekiah \u201cdid not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him [by God]\u201d (NLT)?<\/p>\n Wisdom for the Day:<\/strong> Proverbs 29:12.<\/p>\n Key Idea:<\/strong> Our love for God is greatest when we\u2019re most honest about our own sins.<\/p>\n Questions for Family Growth:<\/strong> In vv.37,38, what did the woman in this story do? What did the Lord say about her in v.47. Why is it that we love the Lord more when we realize the horribleness of our own sins against Him? What happens when we don\u2019t see the seriousness of our own sins?<\/p>\n Wisdom for the Day:<\/strong> Proverbs 29:13.<\/p>\n Key Idea:<\/strong> Paul\u2019s sacrificial service to God was motivated by his deep gratitude for God\u2019s grace.<\/p>\n Questions for Family Growth:<\/strong> After Paul\u2019s conversion to Christ, what kind of life resulted from his recognition of the magnitude of God\u2019s forgiveness of him? Why did he work as hard as he did in the Lord\u2019s work? What did Paul say about himself in 1 Tim. 1:15,16?<\/p>\n Wisdom for the Day:<\/strong> Proverbs 29:14.<\/p>\n Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\nMonday: 2 Corinthians 6:1<\/h2>\n
Tuesday: Hebrews 6:6; 10:29<\/h2>\n
Wednesday: 1 Peter 4:10<\/h2>\n
Thursday: Luke 7:36-50<\/h2>\n
Friday: 1 Corinthians 15:10<\/h2>\n