Friday, October 19, 2012

An Audience of One

My Utmost For His Highest
 
‘The great enemy of the Lord Jesus Christ today is the idea of practical work that has no basis in the New Testament but comes from the systems of the world. This work insists upon endless energy and activities, but no private life with God. The emphasis is put on the wrong thing. […] An active Christian worker too often lives to be seen by others, while it is the innermost, personal area that reveals the power of a person’s life. […]  The central point of the kingdom of Jesus Christ is a personal relationship with Him, not public usefulness to others.’ CHAMBERS
Matthew 6:5 “For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”
 
It is so easy to bring human motivation into our Christian life and work.  We are to do everything to the glory of God, yet .. we make the work He has called us to, into a something that we do in our own strength and for own glory.  We receive praise from men for something that God has done through us .. or perhaps worse yet, we receive praise from men for something we have done .. in our own strength .. telling people it was God … Jesus called the men He was talking about hypocrites … harsh but descriptive … having the appearance of one thing and all the while being something else.
 
We live for an audience of One.  You don’t go to church to be seen by others … you don’t sing or pray to be heard by others … you don’t serve in some capacity to be recognized by others … you do those things to praise God and bring glory to Him.  To expand the kingdom .. point people to Jesus … and if you are not … you missed it ….
 
Take some time today to examine your motivations .. talk to God about it … and then do and serve in the power of His Spirit and in step with His purpose for your life … and let your light shine.
 
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

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