Title Only Before God / Matthew 6:1-6.
Content When we live a life of faith, the most important factors will be interpersonal and substitute relationships. In other words, it is the truth of how to build a beautiful relationship with people and with God.
If we do not have a proper relationship with people, it does not mean that we are living a good life of faith. On the other hand, if our relationship with God is not right, our faith will not be normal. It seems that our faith toward God is very good around us, but our relationships with people are messed up and we are not recognized by people. On the other hand, we have a good relationship with people and praise each other as good people, but we are not sincere to God and God is not sincere. to
I see people who are not good at it.
All of this is incorrect. The life of our faith is to achieve God's will by harmonizing these two beautifully.
If you look at the text to come, what is the expression of these two beautiful lives?
Relationships with people are the word of almsgiving, that is, living a life that does not do evil to people, but does righteousness and goodness.
Also, our relationship with God speaks of a life of prayer.
As much as we can, we must not do evil to people or turn away from the difficulties of our neighbors. Rather, we should actively share the grace we have received from God with others, do righteousness and give alms as much as we can.
But Jesus gives us three lessons by emphasizing what we must be very careful about when we live this life.
The first is the saying, ‘Do it in secret’.
In verses 1, 5, and 16, he emphasizes, urging us not to “be seen by men.”
Indeed, these words put us to shame when we quietly look back on the righteousness we do.
Moreover, I think it is necessary to renew the image of us that we used to do while waiting for praise in front of people, hoping that people will see us, even praying to God, donating money, serving and giving alms.
It is said that humans have three instincts. The first is possessiveness. It is the desire to have as many as possible. Another is the instinct to want to be. Political desires belong here. Next is the desire to be seen. It is the instinct to want to be recognized, to be praised, and to be respected.
But if we are not very careful and vigilant about this, we fall into worldly and carnal temptations.
I wrote a very interesting article in a book. Regarding the 'parable of the good Samaritan', if the incident happened in the middle of a street in Jerusalem, not in the valley going to Jericho, would the priests and Levites just pass by after seeing it? It was a place that people couldn't see, so they pretended not to know and passed.
How are we guys? Didn't you do something you shouldn't do or do something you shouldn't do because it was a place that no one would see? On the other hand, didn't you pretend that you were doing it when people saw it?
The Lord says to such people: “They have already received their reward.”
In other words, God does not approve of what they have done.
In <Chae Geun-dam>, it is said, “Praise in front of the party is not praise, and doing good in the sight of others is not good deeds.”
The British government wanted to commend General Gorden (C.G.) for making a major contribution to the country. They tried to erect a statue and a monument, but the general refused. Even if they offer to confer a title (爵位) and pay a bounty, they refuse. He has made a remarkable achievement by moving forward 33 times after the war, so the British government wanted to commemorate it, so it was recorded in a small gold medal and presented. After the general died, I couldn't see the medals that were supposed to be there when I was organizing my belongings. People were curious about it, so they inquired about it, and there were hidden twists and turns. During a famine in Manchester, the general melted the medals and sold them to help the hungry. In the general's diary, he simply wrote of this fact: “I gave to Christ the most precious gift in the world”
That's right. Our good deeds are not done to people but to God, and our prayers are not meant to be heard by people, but are the secret language of love to ask God for help.
Therefore, when we do good deeds or when we pray, above all else, we overcome our physical temptations to show people. Just do it with gratitude, with joy, and with joy that you can do it.
The next lesson to teach is, 'The Father sees.' This word to see can also be translated as ‘knowing’. It means that God sees and knows everything we do, that is, all the things we give and pray. In fact, for those who live a life of faith, where is the word that is as touching and comforting as the saying that God knows? No matter what people say, even if others do not recognize me, if God only knows me, that is the greatest blessing.
In Job 23:10, Job confesses to God and praises God. “Only he knows the way I go, and after he has tried me I will come out like gold.” People didn't know him. His friends, his wife, and everyone despise him and point his finger at him. But Job is comforted and strengthened by saying that God knows him.
we need to know We do not see Him, but God sees us. In all our circumstances and circumstances, He is watching, and He sees all the works of faith we do.
Therefore, we must be truthful before Him and only live the act of faith that is acceptable to Him.
Ladies and gentlemen, rather than being conscious of human eyes, let us be conscious of God's flaming eyes.
Let's live by thinking more about how God will see me than about how people will see me. Don't get tired and fall into temptation while trying to be good to others. Know that God is looking at you in secret, and let's live the act of faith before Him.
Finally, his teaching is that “God pays.”
It is that God sees and knows all those who act secretly by looking only at Him, and He will surely repay them, reward them, bless them, and fill them.
“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Our God is a God of reward. God rewards His children when they love their neighbors and give charity. Proverbs 19:17 “To have mercy on the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his good deeds.” said,
Luke 6:38 He promised, “Give, and it will be given to you; and it will be given to you, given generously, pressed down, shaking, and overflowing.”
The same goes for prayer. Our sincere prayers to God are that He hears and answers them. Therefore, our prayers should always be sincerely raised to God. In Psalm 145:18, it says, “The Lord is close to all who ask him, even to all who ask him in truth.” He emphasizes the posture of prayer and promises answers.
“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
This is the Lord's clear promise. Therefore, we must believe in this promise and do good, but do not become discouraged. We must be more diligent and be able to do what we are supposed to do without saying a word.
Dear all.
Let us now discover what is the reason for our vain and meaningless life of faith.
Why did they pray so much and there was no answer? Did they do a lot of service and loyalty, but there was no fruit? Did they give love and alms but there was no joy and grace? We need to find out what has produced disappointing results.
Seriously, let's keep deep in our hearts what our life of faith should be for a life in which our work bears fruit, brings blessings, and God's glory is revealed in grace.
Not for the sake of boasting and praise or for the vanity of the world to be seen by others, but with the belief that God sees Him before Him and above all else, only God needs to know Him, so let us humbly act more earnestly and earnestly. God repays. The rewarding God will reward the deeds of such people so that they may live a life of greater blessing and fruit, and a life of gracious glory, so that they can do more wonderful works of God's glory. “Your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Amen.