13 Bible Verses about Motives, Importance Of

It is in [fellowship with] Christ that we [Jewish Christians] also were selected as [God's] inheritance [i.e., to receive His never ending blessings], having been predetermined according to the plan of God, who works out everything in harmony with what He wants. The end [i.e., of being so predetermined] was that we [Jewish Christians], who had previously placed our hope in Christ, should bring about the praise of God's splendor. You [Gentiles] also, who are in Christ, after having heard the message of truth, the good news about your salvation, and [after] believing in Him, were sealed [i.e., as evidence of ownership] with the promised Holy Spirit. [or, "the Holy Spirit who brings promises"].read more.
He is a down payment of our inheritance, until God's own possession [i.e., His people] receives redemption. [Note: Here "redemption" refers to receiving a new body in heaven]. May this bring about praise to God's splendor.

So, whether you people eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to honor God.

And whatever you do, whether in [your] words or actions, do everything in the name [i.e., by the authority] of Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

If someone's gift is speaking, he should [be sure to] say only what God wants him to. If a person's gift is serving, he should do so by the strength provided by God [who supplies all such gifts]. This is so that, in using all gifts, God may be honored through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs honor and power forever and ever. May it be so.

"Be careful that you do not do your good deeds in front of people for the purpose of being seen by them, for [if you do] you will not have a reward from your Father in heaven. "Therefore, when you give money to help poor people, do not blow a trumpet in front of you [i.e., to call attention to it] as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets. They do this in order to win praise from people. It is true when I say to you, they have [already] received their reward. But when you give money to help poor people, do not allow your left hand to know what your right hand is doing [i.e., do it inconspicuously]read more.
so that your giving to poor people may be done secretly. Then your Father, who sees what is done secretly, will pay you back. "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners [i.e., in prominent view of everyone] in order to be seen [and praised] by people. But when you pray, go to a private place and after closing the door, pray to your Father who is in a secret place, and [since] He sees in secret places, He will reward you. And when you pray, do not use worthless repetitions like the [unconverted] Gentiles, for they think their lengthy, repetitious wording [in prayer] is more likely to be heard [by God]. So, do not be like them, for your Father [already] knows what things you need, [even] before you ask Him. Therefore, you should pray this way: 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be highly honored. May your kingdom come [to earth]; may your will be done on earth just as it is [already being done] in heaven. Give us our [needed] food for the day. And forgive us of the wrongs we have done to others, since we have also forgiven the wrongs done to us. And do not allow us to fall under temptation, but deliver us from [being harmed by] the evil one.' For if you forgive the wrongs people have done [to you], your heavenly Father will also forgive the wrongs you have done [to Him]. But if you do not forgive the wrongs people have done [to you], neither will your Father forgive the wrongs you have done [to Him]. "In addition, when you fast [i.e., go without food and/or drink for religious reasons], do not be like the hypocrites with long faces, for they go around with gloomy expressions on their faces in order to advertise that they are fasting. It is true when I say to you, these people have [already] received their reward. But when you fast, groom your hair and wash your face so that people will not see that you are fasting, but [only] your Father who is in secret [will know about it]. For, [since] He sees [what is done] in secret, He will repay you.

"Those persons whose hearts are pure [before God] will be blessed because they will see God.

[When] you do ask, you do not receive it, because you ask from wrong motives, [just] so you can satisfy your own pleasures.

Loved ones, if our hearts do not condemn us [i.e., because we are showing love by helping the needy], we can have boldness before God [in prayer for our own needs]; and we can be assured of receiving from God whatever we ask Him for, because we are obeying His commands [i.e., especially the one about loving others] and are practicing what is pleasing to Him.

You slaves should obey your earthly masters in everything, [and] do not do it just when they are looking [at you], or to gain their favor, but do it with a sincere heart, out of reverence for the Lord. In whatever you do, work wholeheartedly, as though it were for the Lord and not [just] for people, knowing that you will receive from the Lord a [spiritual] inheritance as a reward, [for] you are [really] serving the Lord.read more.
And the person who does what is wrong will be repaid for his wrongdoing, for there is no favoritism [with God].

Slaves, you should obey those who are your earthly masters, out of reverence and eagerness to please them, with a sincere heart, as you would [obey] Christ. Do not serve them only when you are being watched, just to gain their approval, but as slaves of Christ, doing what God wants from your heart. Render your service wholeheartedly, as you would to the Lord, and not [just] to people,read more.
knowing that whatever good deed a person does, he will be rewarded for it from the Lord, whether he is a slave or a free person.

Marriage should be considered honorable among all people and its sexual responsibilities should be faithfully kept. For God will judge [and condemn] those people who are sexually immoral and who are sexually unfaithful to their mates.

So, put to death [i.e., stop practicing the desires of] your physical bodies [such as] sexual immorality, [moral] impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is [in reality] idolatry. For the wrath of God will come [upon disobedient people] for practicing such things.

For it is God's will that you should be dedicated to Him, [that is], you should avoid sexual immorality. Each of you should know how to control his own body in a dedicated and honorable way, not in passionate lust, as the [unconverted] Gentiles, who do not know God, do.read more.
And none of you should violate and exploit his brother [or sister] in such a matter. For the Lord will punish people for all these things, just as we told you before and warned you.