I once had a teacher who once said that any religion that taught people to do good was a good religion. if u think about it deeper, what is the real difference between Christians and other religions? i know Christianity is a relationship but looking beyond that, which religion does not teach people not to do good? the bible has a good answer to this in 1 Samuel 16:7
"But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance of his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.""
Wow is that scary or what? But this also means that our motive for doing good must be different from others as our God is also different. Besides, we don’t want our precious heavenly treasure to disappear just because we waved the $5 note in the air before putting it into the offering bag. Jesus said in Matthew 6:16, those who flaunt their acts of worship before men have received their reward in full.
When we pray, fast or give, always ask ourselves, to whom and for whom am I praying/fasting/giving? Is it for myself to quiet my conscience? Is it for others to see and think highly of me? It’s not easy and everyone who does it knows it but it is important to keep our hearts right with God. Another verse that reinforces this is Luke 16:15,
"He said to them, “You are the one who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God know your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight.""
When i asked the God to show me an area of my life that boast about, the word came to me as eloquence. Ok, I am no Shakespeare but I’m not slow of speech and tongue either. i felt God say to me, use you eloquence to declare my wonders. So don't let the audience of our praise and worship be anyone other then the King of kings, the LORD Almighty. Be like Daniel (not this one) and shut the door and pray in secret.
In His Love and mine
Daniel
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