public and private

Good morning friends,
We're continuing with Jesus' sermon on the mount for the next few days. This passage is often close to my mind and is sometimes a barrier for us. Jesus warns his disciples against flashy religious practice. He tells them to keep their charity and prayer a private thing so they are really doing it for God and not so people will say, "Wow, look how faithful and spiritual so and so is." This is wonderful advice because there is a temptation sometimes to use faith to look good for others.

The trouble is that often we've taken this advice so much to heart that we lose the ability to share our faith with others. We hear these words and are empowered for lives of private faith but not for evangelism. When Jesus was ministering in the flesh being religious was normal and respected. Today that's not the case as much. If we have to make a mistake I'd rather we live our faith too publicly than too privately. The voice of loving, prayerful, welcoming Christian witness is too quiet in today's world. So do close your door and pray alone, just you and God, but don't be shy about letting people know that you've found something exciting in the love of Jesus.

Blessings,
Sam

Matthew 6:1-6

“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2“So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.


5“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.