I want people to notice. I bet you do too. When I do something good, I glance around to see who saw it. I hope other people notice. I crave people’s praise and attention. “Wow. Great job! That was amazing!”
But that’s not what Christianity is all about. Jesus says, “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” (Matthew 6:1). Those words cut at my heart. It’s not a show! Instead, “when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3). “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” (Matthew 6:6). Get the point? Christianity isn’t a big show.
Because Christianity isn’t about all the things we do. Christianity is about all the things God has done for us through Jesus. The message we want others to see and hear isn’t, “Look how special I am!” It’s, “look at how gracious God is. Look at how Jesus died for us. Look at the promises God gives us!”
There’s an old phrase that Christians live “To the glory of God and the salvation of souls.” Isn’t that true? It’s not a show. “To the glory of God and the salvation of souls!”
Comments