“In Order to be Seen by Them”
In this place Jesus says, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them.” But in another place Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
On the one hand, then, we are not to let others see our good works; on the other hand, though, we are to let others see our good works.
The difference between letting others see our good works in a good way and letting others see our good works in a bad way apparently comes down to our motivation—do we want people to see what we do so they’ll notice what good people we are or do we want people to see what we do so they’ll notice what a great God we serve?
It is hard for us to stay on the right side of that line.
Oh God, help us to know where the line is between witness and display, between righteousness and self-righteousness—and give us grace to live on the side of witness and righteousness.
Amen.
“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1)
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