Motives

Well if you are a christian you know the teachings of Jesus about not doing your deeds in front of others. This is a true statement. And let's see what God's word says about it. I intend to show that what it comes down to is motives.

Matthew 6:1 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven." These words of our Lord go on to say don't sound your trumpet when you give and don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. I want to concentrate on this first verse in chapter 6. Because many say it contradicts a few other verses in the Bible. The Bible when understood as God shows us NEVER contradicts itself. It is inerrant in all it's fullness.

There are several verses that tell us to be lights of the world. Just one chapter before this we see our Lord saying, Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Now wait, Jesus tells us to be lights that shine good works for men to see. And then in the same sermon tells us not to do our works for men to see them. Are you starting to see what the Lord is doing here? In 5:16 at the end of the verse it's saying to do our good works that they may glorify the Father. In chapter 6:1 it says not to do it for men to see. In other words for the glory of how great we are. We are to act like christians to glorify God, not ourselves. It's all about motives and the condition of the heart. We are not called to be monks for our solitude and quietness would not glorify God. Our pure conduct and walk in the true christian life of pureness, righteousness and love is what glorifies God to others around us. I think the Westminster catechism got it right in their first question, Q. What is the chief and highest end of man? A. Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God and fully to enjoy him forever.

Jesus in chapter 6 has seen the pharisees follow the law to the T outwardly. But inwardly, they were full of dead mans bones. We are called to live Godly lives outwardly as well as inwardly. Show people you care, show people you love them, show people you're not afraid to give to those in need, whether it be lending a hand or monetarily. I encourage any and all christians to do that. In Matthew 7:19- 20 Jesus tells us the false prophets will be known by their fruit. Well let us be known by our fruit as well, being good fruit. So that the name of the true God can be glorified.

That's the key though. If you do your works so that so and so sees you doing something good, as Jesus said, you will have no reward with your father in heaven for that. It is merely outwardly and you glorify yourself rather than God. This is a tough topic and I advise we pray for discernment in these matters because there are going to be many times that your doing or giving should be done just for God to see. Notice in 6:1 Jesus said beware. He doesn't say don't, he says beware. Because it is so easy to get caught up in pride and self gratification/glorification. The truth is the treasure in heaven you store up for yourself by doing good deeds and bearing good fruit is so much more grand than gaining the praise of men. Do your deeds to be noticed by God because you love Him and are dedicated to Him. Let's finish with one of my favorite verses, Phillipians 2:14 - 15. "Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights of the world"

Jesus said in Luke 11:33 "No one after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar, nor under a basket, but on a nightstand so that those who enter may see the light."

My prayer for us is that we show the world the light of Christ through us. That we have the right intentions and motives to show the world what makes us Christians, who we are, and most importantly, whom we serve. Let the world draw close to God through our actions and love that the Spirit pours upon us. Let people know what us Christians are not only by what we confess, but by what we do. May the Lord bless you all.

With love and prayers always,

Chris