(I apologize for missing yesterday, the hard drive on my computer died and I needed to get a new one.)
I am working my way through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Today and tomorrow I am in Chapter 6. The first half of that chapter in my Bible is titled, “How to Give,” “How to Pray,” (which includes “The Model Prayer”), and “How to Fast.” [5:1-18]
That pretty well covers three of the Spiritual Disciplines Christians are to exercise. As I read through these passages, I noticed one pertinent item in each.
Giving: Don’t practice it in front of people to be seen by them.
Praying: Don’t practice it to be seen by people.
Fasting: Don’t show your fasting to people.
We are not to practice these spiritual disciples so that others will pat us on the back and remind us what good Christians we are. We are not to practice these to gain a good reputation or to earn points in our churches. Jesus is quite clear where the rewards will come from if we do these the way God intends.
“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you” for giving. [vs 4]
“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you” for praying. [vs6b]
“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you” for fasting. [vs18b]
I guess my “Am I?” question today is “Why am I giving, praying and fasting?”
Where does my heart’s motivation spring from? I pray from a heart focused solely on the One who loves me so much.
