We live in a world where outward show is widely applauded and
appreciated. We love to see something spectacular in all things. What
happens behind the scene is only secondary.
Consider how media
projects certain products or persons. There are plenty of agencies who
create attractive ads by which any product, person or issue is promoted
and people blindly follow them without considering much about the
reality. They assume that the well known product is the best; famous and
prominent are worthy of honour and the most talked about issue is
genuine.
Such a scenario
makes many to think that in every thing there ought to be something
impressive; or else people will not value us.
The word of God teaches
that similar attitude can creep in our spiritual activities too.
Intentionally or unintentionally we may tend to conduct a particular
service or program, just for the sake of showing off our power, name or
position. In Matthew 6:1 The Lord Jesus Christ warns us against
it.“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in
order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your
Father who is in heaven.” (ESV)
Saint’s Hypocrisy
Jews of His
time displayed their piety in public for self-glory and promotion. They
gave to poor with much fanfare, made long prayers in the public and made
known their fast with sad appearances. They had no hesitation even to
glorify themselves before God. Luke 18:11, 12. The Lord says
unequivocally, they who do such things are hypocrites. Cf. Matt. 6: 2,
5, 16. It’s only acting; there is no truth behind such activities.
We see similar indicting
declarations in the Old Testament too. In the book of Isaiah and Amos we
see the Lord telling them that He is tired of bearing their lip service.
He even says that He is not at all delighted in their sacrifices and He
will not listen to their prayers. Cf. Isaiah 1:11, 14; 29:13; Amos 5: 21
– 23. How sad is such a state. Still it is possible if we do not take
care as the Lord warned us in Matthew 6:1.
Divine Displeasure
Do not
forget, our best spiritual service could be a trouble to the Lord! Our
prayer, preaching, giving, fasting etc could be unacceptable and corrupt
before God. He does not merely look to the external extravaganza, but
looking for sincere love and devotion from our innermost being. He is
not at all impressed by our outward show; on the contrary He is so
displeased and pronounces it loudly.
How seriously we must
take heed of this truth. We may be able to gather public support and
admiration by cleverly conducting a religious activity. But we can not
escape the all-seeing eyes of the Almighty God who hates our
self-promotion and ambition. Not only it’s hypocrisy, it’s a waste of
time and effort in the sight of God. Man may take note and honour us but
there is no reward from God.
Examine ourselves
Of course
we can not judge other’s activities for we do not know the secrets of
man. 1Cori 4:5. Nevertheless, we ought to judge ourselves. 1Cori 11: 31;
2Cori 13:5. Why do we sing, pray, preach, give etc? What is the motive
behind some of our spiritual services? If we have created a façade to
impress man, be ready to pull it down and be true in and out.
Definitely, the Lord
knows our intentions and one day He will reveal it and even recompense
accordingly. Ecc. 1214; 2Cori 5:10. Let us make sure that whatever we do
today is for God’s glory alone. Refuse to draw any self-gain out of a
spiritual activity. Let us be happy to be unknown to man but known to
God. 2Cori 6:10. Let us patiently wait for His appreciation and reward.
No man can judge our life and performance, so why worried over man’s
approval.
Let the Lord
Jesus Christ alone be pre-eminent in all things that we are engaged in.
May His name alone be glorified and exalted through our life and
service.
The Worth of a Name
Robert E. Lee of great military fame was approached after the Civil War
by the managers of the infamous Lottery Louisiana. He sat in his old
rocking chair crutches at his side, and listened to their proposition.
He couldn’t believe his ears; he asked them to repeat it, thinking that
he could not have heard them aright.
They said they wanted no
money from him, all they wanted was the use of his name; and for that
they would make him rich. Lee straightened up in his chair, buttoned his
old grey tunic about him, and thundered, “Gentlemen, I lost my home in
the war. I lost my fortune in the war. I lost everything in the war
except my name. My name is not for sale, and if you fellows don’t get
out of here I’ll break my crutch over your heads.”
