Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
1. What is Jesus trying to teach us about secrecy in our faith?
Jesus repeats each time, whether we give to the needy, pray to our Father or fast, the only one who needs to know is our Father. And he sees, hears, and knows everything. What we do is not meant for show. And it is not even entirely for the one(s) we do it for. It can be primarily for our own hearts, souls, and minds. Secrecy does not mean that no one knows. Secrecy is kind of like a private conversation between us and God. It is not to be shared with anyone else.
What are some other areas of our spiritual lives (besides praying, giving, and fasting) that this same lesson should impact?
Serving. Although it is very hard to get away with it. Someone has to know to ask for your service. And somehow they have to know that the task is being completed. Ideally trust would come into play and it would be like magic. We just don’t live like that in today’s world. Micromanagement. You have to cover yourself. It’s more like an unpaid job than voluntary service. But beyond that, if you can just keep your big mouth shut! HAH!
Jesus repeats each time, whether we give to the needy, pray to our Father or fast, the only one who needs to know is our Father. And he sees, hears, and knows everything. What we do is not meant for show. And it is not even entirely for the one(s) we do it for. It can be primarily for our own hearts, souls, and minds. Secrecy does not mean that no one knows. Secrecy is kind of like a private conversation between us and God. It is not to be shared with anyone else.
What are some other areas of our spiritual lives (besides praying, giving, and fasting) that this same lesson should impact?
Serving. Although it is very hard to get away with it. Someone has to know to ask for your service. And somehow they have to know that the task is being completed. Ideally trust would come into play and it would be like magic. We just don’t live like that in today’s world. Micromanagement. You have to cover yourself. It’s more like an unpaid job than voluntary service. But beyond that, if you can just keep your big mouth shut! HAH!
Personal devotions might be the same way. When we tell someone we’re doing it, what is our reasoning? Is it necessary to let everyone know we’re reading our Bible?
Anything we do … is it necessary for everyone to know we’re doing it? What is the purpose behind tweeting our status? To get attention? Can we have a day without everyone knowing our every single step?
2. What do we lose as soon as we begin to announce or flaunt our acts of service and our spiritual accomplishments?
We lose our focus. Our focus should be on God and once we flaunt our acts … focus is upon us.
What are some of the rewards and blessings when we are able to maintain secrecy in our acts of service?
We become a part of God’s bigger purpose rather than being the Sun of our own little cosmos. When more people are able to act in secrecy, we become a part of God’s Big Picture Plan. This at last gives us the connections so many of us want, need and crave. Otherwise we are mini galaxies colliding with each other, but never working together. We float right through each other, but never create anything new or better or different. We all leave the same as we arrived. Working as a part of God’s creation, we transform into what we were actually created to be.
We lose our focus. Our focus should be on God and once we flaunt our acts … focus is upon us.
What are some of the rewards and blessings when we are able to maintain secrecy in our acts of service?
We become a part of God’s bigger purpose rather than being the Sun of our own little cosmos. When more people are able to act in secrecy, we become a part of God’s Big Picture Plan. This at last gives us the connections so many of us want, need and crave. Otherwise we are mini galaxies colliding with each other, but never working together. We float right through each other, but never create anything new or better or different. We all leave the same as we arrived. Working as a part of God’s creation, we transform into what we were actually created to be.
If we can be a bunch of mothers or teachers or stagehands making everything happen behind the scenes, but leaving the praise for the children or rather JESUS. All of us working behind the scenes feel a sense of camaraderie. We get to appreciate the result of all of the hard work. But we know that we’re not the ones being watched. The audience is there to see something infinitely more precious. And we get to stand back and watch too.
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and
under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
And the four living creatures said, “Amen!”
and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Revelation 5:13-14 (ESV)
under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
And the four living creatures said, “Amen!”
and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Revelation 5:13-14 (ESV)
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