As we have been in the Gospel of Matthew in our Bible Reading, I was struck again by a few familiar passages:
Matthew 5:16
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:48
Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The Christian life is to be lived with a view to the glory of God. It is far too easy to “do” the right thing [good works – 5:16] for the purpose of being remembered, recognized and rewarded. Yes, we are to labor and we should excel to the very standard of God [perfection – 5:48]. And while we will fall short of this on this side of glory, it is yet to be our goal – always with a view to pointing people to God; always with a view of diminishing self and exalting Christ.
So, when you wash those dishes, wash them in such a way that people may see your good work and glorify God. When you work extra hard on that project at work, do it in such a way that people may see your good work, but know that God is to receive the praise. And when you labor for your brothers and sisters in Christ, do not seek praise and recognition, rather, go out of your way to ensure that God is recognized and praised.
How are your “good works”? Do they point people to look to you or to look to God? Is your desire to have God receive all the glory in all you do?
1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Soli Deo Gloria (To God’s Glory Alone),
Pastor Ed
Matthew 5:16
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:48
Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The Christian life is to be lived with a view to the glory of God. It is far too easy to “do” the right thing [good works – 5:16] for the purpose of being remembered, recognized and rewarded. Yes, we are to labor and we should excel to the very standard of God [perfection – 5:48]. And while we will fall short of this on this side of glory, it is yet to be our goal – always with a view to pointing people to God; always with a view of diminishing self and exalting Christ.
So, when you wash those dishes, wash them in such a way that people may see your good work and glorify God. When you work extra hard on that project at work, do it in such a way that people may see your good work, but know that God is to receive the praise. And when you labor for your brothers and sisters in Christ, do not seek praise and recognition, rather, go out of your way to ensure that God is recognized and praised.
How are your “good works”? Do they point people to look to you or to look to God? Is your desire to have God receive all the glory in all you do?
1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Soli Deo Gloria (To God’s Glory Alone),
Pastor Ed
1 comment:
Greetings there.
I really loved this post, and what was so cool about it to me is that it was on the Feast of the Epiphany.
Your mentioning of how our works should always point to Christ reminds me of the reason we celebrate this (Epiphany) Season.
It helps us to remember that the Person of Christ is ever present, and His Grace is not just some memory from history.
We remember that in this season, He was shown to the Magi, shown as a miracle worker at Cana, and at His Baptism, the Holy Spirit anointed Him.
Always pointing people to God. Excellent, Pastor Ed!
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