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Thursday, September 09, 2004
There's a basic principle that Christ puts forth in 6:1, which reads: "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven."
Beggars would line the streets. Those that were acting righteous would make a big production out of giving them financial help. Jesus said don't bother. Just help them. If you're in it for the show, then the show is all you get.
The same with people who would pray in public. Big show. Jesus called them hypocrites...a word that was used for an actor or pretender. Somebody who was deliberately attempting to portray something or somebody they weren't. Again, don't bother. Just pray. And, while you're at it, don't try to impress God with big words. One other thing: Your "vertical" relationship with God has a tie to your "horizontal" relationships with people.
The same with fasting (denying yourself of food to focus on God). Don't do it to be noticed. Do it to focus on God.
Notice all this is after all the talk of revolution in chapter 5. The inward changes are supposed to have outward manifestations. It's all supposed to be natural. Unforced. Unnoticed. Inward changes produce outward results.
Which takes us back to verse 1. Just walk with God. In Spirit and in Truth. The rest takes care of itself. And, oh, yeah. That walking with God thing has some things you can do to make that happen.
Mind vitamin for today: How is your giving to others (not necessarily money, but serving joyfully) these days? Your prayer life? Your...ummm...fasting (uh-oh)?
Journal prompt for today: Do you agree or disagree that true change...real transformation...comes from the inside/out? Can doing the externals help you with your "inside?"
Brent 4:15 AM
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