Motivation for Our Obedience?

"His name is worth more than the salvation of all men's souls!"
What is your reaction to the above statement? Does it sound biblical to you? Can you say that you agree with that statement?

It has been my experience that most of us have been so indoctrinated by the modern Christian culture and thought, that we are completely blind to how "man-centered" our gospel presentation has become; how "man-centered" our own theology has become; and, how "man-centered" our motivation to live in obedience to Christ has become. If the statement at the beginning of this post, doesn't quite sit right with you, you may be more a victim of a "man-centered" Christianity than you were at first aware.

Let us look at the scriptures:

1 Samuel 12:22
For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own.

Psalm 23:3
he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Psalm 25:11
For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

Psalm 31:3
Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

Psalm 79:9
Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.

Psalm 106:8
Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known.

Psalm 109:21
But you, Sovereign LORD, help me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.

Psalm 143:11
For your name’s sake, LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.

Isaiah 48:9
For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely.

Jeremiah 14:7
Although our sins testify against us, do something, LORD, for the sake of your name. For we have often rebelled; we have sinned against you.

Jeremiah 14:21
For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it.

Ezekiel 20:9
But for the sake of my name, I brought them out of Egypt. I did it to keep my name from being profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they lived and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites.

Ezekiel 20:14
But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

Ezekiel 20:22
But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

Ezekiel 20:44
You will know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name’s sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, you people of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD.’”

Ezekiel 36:22
“Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.

Daniel 9:19
Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

Romans 1:5
Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.

3 John 1:7
It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.

"See the true note and character of a godly person: he is a sanctifier of God’s name. A true saint ambitiously endeavours to advance God’s name. The question he asks himself in everything he is going about is, Will this action tend to the honour of God’s name? Will it exalt God? It was Paul’s chief design that Christ might be magnified, that the crown upon his head might flourish. Phil 1: 20. A godly man thinks it scarce worth his while to live if he may not bring some revenues of honour to God’s name."

"I may here take up a sad lamentation, and speak, as the apostle Paul, weeping. Phil 3: 18. Consider how God’s name, instead of being hallowed and sanctified, is dishonoured. His name, which is worth more than the salvation of all men’s souls, suffers deeply. We are apt to speak of our sufferings; alas! what are all our sufferings! God’s name suffers most. His name is the dearest thing he has. How do men stand upon their name and honour! God’s name is this day dishonoured; it is like the sun in an eclipse."

Note: The above quotes are from Thomas Watson - The Lord's Prayer.

This past week, in our Sunday School class homework, we were to identify some of the consequences of believer's responding to afflictions, sufferings, and the like, in a carnal or fleshly way. The most negative consequence is that, when we do so, we bring dishonor to the name of Christ.

May the Lord impress upon His people, that to wear His name is the greatest honor we can ever be given. To wear His name and live a life that brings Him dishonor is something that none of us should ever want to be guilty of.

That should be at the forefront of our hearts' motivation when contemplating our reaction to God's providence in our life.