The Best Sermon Ever - Part 4

Daily Scripture Readings

Monday          Luke 18:9-14

Tuesday         Matthew 20:24-28

Wednesday   Philippians 2:1-11

Thursday       Ephesians 4:1-6

Friday             Colossians 3:12-17

Saturday        Matthew 6:19-34

Opening Prayer

Lord, let us make life all about You.

In Jesus’ name, AMEN

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Jesus did not say that we would become children of God by exhibiting righteous behavior, for by righteous works of the flesh shall no man living be justified. Rather He was teaching that godly behavior and righteous deeds would show that we are His children. Godly action and attitudes should demonstrate that we are already His children. Gracious words and holy deeds should be spiritual fruit that is being shown forth in the lives of all believers, because they are children of God.

Practicing righteousness and godly living as Christ instructed is the path to spiritual maturity, but He gives a severe warning about the motive behind godly works and the intention behind the performance of righteous deeds: "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them," is Christ's serious warning to His disciples. Jesus is cautioning them to be careful not to do the right thing for the wrong reason.

God is the One that searches the heart. He alone knows the moment the heart of the unbeliever starts to trust in Christ for salvation, but He also knows the heart of the believer, and His rewards for Christians are entirely based on the motive behind the works that we perform.

If they are good works that He has prepared for us to do and are carried out in spirit and truth with the sole purpose of honoring God, they will receive a reward. But if they are works that appear to be righteous and good but are carried out in the flesh, then no reward will be received from God. We need to reflect on the motive behind all that we say and do, so that we do not fall into the temptation of trying to carry out hypocritical actions in our own fleshly power in order to impress God or others of our piety in order to receive their warm applause. God sees the secret motive behind all our actions and attitudes and knows whether they are done for self-glorification or for the praise and glory of our heavenly Father.

https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/matthew-6-1