Motives for Moral Living

KEY VERSE: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” —Philippians 2:4

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Philippians 2:1-13

ALL mankind should, of course, strive to live blameless, moral lives; but our lesson is specially directed to those who call themselves Christians. The Scriptures throughout present Jehovah God as a righteous, loving God. His entire universe is founded on the principles of righteousness and justice, and whatsoever is out of harmony with these godly principles is out of harmony with the person and character of the great Creator himself. Speaking to his typical people Israel God said, “Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.”—Lev. 19:2

That this admonition applies also to God’s antitypical people of the Gospel Age is confirmed by the Apostle Peter. Addressing his remarks to the church he says, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy.”—I Pet. 1:14-16, RSV

Surely, we can have nothing but deep, heartfelt love for that just and holy One who first of all gave us the incomparable blessing of life itself, and then demonstrated his continued love for sinful mankind by sending his only begotten Son to redeem us from our sins! Surely, a proper realization of such supreme love should rouse within each one who calls himself a child of God the desire and determination to return that love of our Heavenly Father to the best of his ability! And this we can do, the Apostle John points out, by sincerely striving to keep his righteous commandments. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” If we keep God’s commandments, we have his assurance that we are his children, and may entertain the glorious hope of being with our Lord Jesus in the kingdom!—I John 5:3

And how could anyone who calls himself a Christian—a footstep follower of our Lord Jesus—not have an unsurpassed motive for moral living! How could any who is trusting in the merit of Jesus’ sacrifice not wish to show his love and appreciation for his Master by following to the best of his ability the perfect example of him who was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners? How our hearts are touched as our gratitude and love daily increase for that selfless one “who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works”? (Titus 2:13,14) If we truly love him who died for us, if we truly appreciate his love for us, we will daily endeavor to keep his righteous commandments; for Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments. … If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:15,23) What greater motivation to live a righteous life could one possibly imagine!

And what of our responsibility to our brethren, who are walking daily in the same narrow way of sacrifice and suffering? The Apostle Paul cautioned Timothy, “If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” Paul here, of course, is speaking of the material needs of the brethren. But an even greater need of the brethren is for spiritual provision. Thus Paul instructed Timothy, “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation [conduct], in charity [love], in spirit, in faith, in purity. … Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine [teaching]; … for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (I Tim. 4:12,16) Continue in them, Paul says; for this is not the work of a moment, but rather the work of a Christian lifetime. Thus Jesus told his disciples, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”—John 15:12,13

Long ago the psalmist David asked, “Who shall ascend into the hill [kingdom] of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”—Ps. 24:3-5

Who could wish—or who could possibly find—a greater motivation for righteous living!

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