When we do something we feel is wonderful, the world tells us that we deserve to be acknowledged. We ought to be celebrated and awarded for doing the right thing. Sorry to burst your bubble, but that's not how he Kingdom of Heaven operates. Jesus says that we should be doing the right thing because it's the right thing and that's what He asks of us. We show our love and respect for Him by obeying His commands.
When we think like the world, we begin to believe that we ourselves are worthy of worship, just as Lucifer did before the fall. We do good so that others will notice and recognize us and hold us in high esteem, but Jesus values humility above all else. He wants us to recognize our need for Him and to know that the only good in us comes from His work through us. Be careful not to live a life of seeking approval from men. There is no life and no reward from that lifestyle. Always hold Jesus in highest esteem and do good because of your love for Him.
Matthew 6:1-8 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (NIV)
When we think like the world, we begin to believe that we ourselves are worthy of worship, just as Lucifer did before the fall. We do good so that others will notice and recognize us and hold us in high esteem, but Jesus values humility above all else. He wants us to recognize our need for Him and to know that the only good in us comes from His work through us. Be careful not to live a life of seeking approval from men. There is no life and no reward from that lifestyle. Always hold Jesus in highest esteem and do good because of your love for Him.
Matthew 6:1-8 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (NIV)
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