The True Motive by M. C. Wilcox

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 14, 1882

The True Motive.

By M. C. Wilcox

BY ELD. M. C. WILCOX.

Said a member of the Baptist Church, as I was talking with him on the subject of the Sabbath, “Yes; it is true there is no Bible Sabbath but the seventh-day, and when I think I cannot be saved without it, I will keep it.” What an excuse! Will do just what I must do; just enough to save self, that is all. Does this show any real gratitude to God? Is not the motive thoroughly selfish? What if our Saviour had acted from such a motive? Man would have been eternally lost, not one ray of light or hope would have pierced the depths of his dark despair.

Did our Saviour gain anything in coming to this world? Did he “become poor” for his own sake? Did he suffer that he might reign? Did he die that he might live? Did he do all these things because he must do them to enjoy the favor of his Father? No; his motive was altogether an unselfish one. This world in its sinful state could have been blotted out of existence, and he lost nothing. It was and is in his power to create millions more. “He became poor that we might be rich;” he suffered that we might reign; he died that we might live. “For even Christ pleased not himself.” It was his infinite love that prompted him to do what he did for fallen man, the infinite compassion for the race fallen in sin. A selfish policy may be a motive power to a worldling, but a Christian never ought to entertain such a motive for an instant when a plain duty is set before him.

We are prone to pity an individual who makes such an excuse as the one I have mentioned; but is it not true, brethren and sisters, that the same selfish feelings sometimes prompt us? Instead of honestly inquiring, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” does not self often change the inquiry to, “Lord, what can I get rid of doing, and still be saved?” Would we do God's will wholly, if we knew everything he commanded was not necessary to our soul's salvation? Do we neglect health reform, knowing it is right? Does not a wrong principle cherished in our hearts prove our ruin. One wrong motive may ruin our souls at last. God's injunctions, admonitions and commandments are all all-important. They may seem to be of small importance in our eyes, but their consequences are eternal. Upon obedience or transgression rests our salvation or perdition. We are not forming reputations for time, we are forming characters for eternity.

God has given us great light on plainness, simplicity of dress, and do you, my sister, regard this of such small importance that it does not make much difference whether you walk in the light or not? Is it not true that if you thought you would really lose your souls by not doing it, you would do it?

Is it the same with you, my brother, in regard to the tithing system? Is this our motive? Our actions reveal that it is. Paul says, “The love of Christ constraineth me,” and if we really loved God, and had true gratitude to him, we would not ask whether our soul's salvation depended upon our obedience or transgression; but, Is it God's will? “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do,” would be our earnest inquiry.

Dear brethren and sisters, eternity is just before us. The great Investigative Judgment is going on. Hearts and motives are being weighed in the sure balances of Heaven. We have no time to trifle. The fulfillment or neglect of duty, the bearing or shunning of crosses, are indicators of our hearts, and truly reveal what dwells there. What is the motive that is actuating me? Brethren and sisters, what are your motives? May it be with each of us, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do.” May the “love of Christ” constrain us.