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NASB | 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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 6:1 "Be [very] careful not to do your good deeds publicly, to be seen by men; otherwise you will have no reward [prepared and awaiting you] with your Father who is in heaven. |
Bible Question:
Hi all, I have a question regarding Galatians 1:10. We are not to be people pleasers, but God pleasers. I have a situation where my heart feels in the right place, but my flesh/mind are pretty arrogant. I have the opportunity to be a kidney donor to someone in need and am awaiting results to find out if I am a perfect match or not. I have prayed to God that if this is His will that I be the match, then let everything go smoothly and both I and the recepient receive speedy healings. However, my thoughts are so arrogant and are in complete contrast to what my heart is telling me. My mind wants to boast about what I am doing, which is not true because NO ONE knows except God, and now you guys. Nobody knows at work, within my family or friends that I am considering doing this. Any suggestions or bible verses to help me know that I am pleasing God and not people in this matter considering my heart is in the right place, but I am battling my thoughts? Jaci |
Bible Answer: Jaci, Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. Mat 5:16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Only you can know your true motives for performing what is seemingly an honorable attempt to adhere to Luke 6:31. If the tables were reversed, would you expect the other to do the same? Others and their perception of what you may possibly do will be greatly affected by how you yourself present the situation. In the verses I inserted above, I see that Christ was telling us that we are to let others see our good works. But I also see that we are to let those good works speak for themselves. And keep in mind that we are discerning of one another based on the evidences that our life and activities have presented not just what each of us profess. If you boast about such an act, you surely take the focus from the act itself, which should be used to glorify God and not your own self. Matthew Henry wrote: “We must do good works that may be seen to the edification of others, but not that they may be seen to our own ostentation; we are bid to pray in secret, and what lies between God and our souls, must be kept to ourselves; but that which is of itself open and obvious to the sight of men, we must study to make congruous to our profession, and praiseworthy, Phi_4:8. Those about us must not only hear our good words, but see our good works; that they may be convinced that religion is more than a bare name, and that we do not only make a profession of it, but abide under the power of it.”… … “We must not only endeavor to glorify God ourselves, but we must do all we can to bring others to glorify him. The sight of our good works will do this, by furnishing them, 1. With matter for praise. “Let them see your good works, that they may see the power of God's grace in you, and may thank him for it, and give him the glory of it, who has given such power unto men.” 2. With motives of piety. “Let them see your good works, that they may be convinced of the truth and excellency of the Christian religion, may be provoked by a holy emulation to imitate your good works, and so may glorify God.” I get the sense that if motives are true and pure, there is no need whatsoever to boast of the works we do, the acts will speak far more captivating words than you could ever use to justify them. And most importantly, it is God rather than us, who is worthy of the praise to begin with. Excerpt from a poem written by Rhea F. Miller in which George Beverly Shea put to music and entitled it "I'd Rather Have Jesus": I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause; I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause; I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame; I'd rather be true to His holy name: Just some thoughts. WOS |