Friday, February 11, 2005
Why'd you do it?
From our Ash Wednesday sermon by Pastor Chris Smith based on Matthew 6:1-6,16-21.
The Gospel begins:
Jesus said, "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."
I see a slight inconsistency, between this verse and the idea of just living your faith and being a witness as you do your daily tasks. I believe the distinction is the motivation behind your actions. Going to church or asking someone not to swear in your presence, when it is being done just because you are living and expressing your faith. Is not what this passage is talking about.
Contrast this with the verses later in the Gospel that clearly speak of the motivation as the essential problem: "so that they may be praised by others", "so that they may be seen by others" or "so as to show others that they are fasting."
It is not a minor distinction. Outwardly, your actions might be the same in either case, but what is in your heart and mind that is motivating you is what distinguishes the two. You and your God, know your motivation.
The Gospel begins:
Jesus said, "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."
I see a slight inconsistency, between this verse and the idea of just living your faith and being a witness as you do your daily tasks. I believe the distinction is the motivation behind your actions. Going to church or asking someone not to swear in your presence, when it is being done just because you are living and expressing your faith. Is not what this passage is talking about.
Contrast this with the verses later in the Gospel that clearly speak of the motivation as the essential problem: "so that they may be praised by others", "so that they may be seen by others" or "so as to show others that they are fasting."
It is not a minor distinction. Outwardly, your actions might be the same in either case, but what is in your heart and mind that is motivating you is what distinguishes the two. You and your God, know your motivation.
# posted by Steve @ 8:08 PM 
