Love as the Motivator

It is the goodness of God that brings a man to repentance. Romans 2:4

Geno Auriemma, one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time, once said, “Fear of failure is not as great a motivator as desire for success.” That statement is packed with wisdom, and the more I think about it, the more it applies to how we share Jesus with others.

Too often, the message of salvation centers on fear — the fear of hell. While some may respond to that message, I can’t help but feel it’s a small percentage. Fear might push someone to make a decision, but how lasting is that decision? Fear fades, and eventually, it either paralyzes or drives people to hide.

But what if we took the opposite approach? What if we led with the love of Jesus instead of fear? The love that heals. The love that restores. The love that says, “You’re enough because I say you’re enough.”

Desire for success — the desire to know and be known by a Savior who laid down His life for us — is far more compelling than fear of failure. Romans 2:4 reminds us, “It is the goodness of God that brings a man to repentance.” Not His wrath. Not His judgment. His goodness. His love.

When we share the gospel, are we pointing people toward a relationship with their Heavenly Father who loves them unconditionally, or are we just trying to scare them into avoiding hell? Fear might spark a momentary reaction, but love creates a lasting transformation.

Let’s lead with the love of Jesus. Let’s show the world His goodness, His mercy, and His grace. That’s the message that changes hearts. That’s the message that sticks.