Jesus as a motivator

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. -1 John 3:22 kjv

Jesus Christ was a master motivator. Although He never manipulated people, He did move them in deep, powerful ways, and their behavior changed dramatically.

A street woman was set up by a group of Pharisees who wanted to trick Jesus (see John 8). “We caught her in the act,” they boasted. “Now the law says stone her. What do you say, Jesus?”

This story demonstrates three principles of motivation.

Principle 1: There was confrontation without condemnation. Technically, the Pharisees were right. Nobody, not even Jesus, questioned that. Jesus began to write in the sand. John does not tell us what He wrote, but there had to be a relationship between what He wrote and the fact that the ones who were accusing her turned and left.

Principle 2: Jesus demonstrated acceptance without endorsement. Did Jesus approve of her profession? Not for a moment, but He did accept her as a person of value. There comes a time when we have to differentiate between acceptance and approval. As Jesus did, you can love the person without accepting the person’s wrongdoing.

Principle 3: There was forgiveness without license. “Where are your accusers?” No man accused me, Lord,” says the woman. “Neither do I,” says Jesus. “Go and sin no more.” A good motivator must put past failures aside without giving a person license to turn around and repeat the failure-forgiveness situation.

Scripture tells us we need to motivate each other towards doing right. It tells us to encourage one another, to exhort one another, to help one another move back towards the purpose and calling of God.