READING:
One-year plan: Genesis 14-17, Matthew 5:31-6:8
Two-year plan: Genesis 8-9, Matthew 3:13-4:11
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It wasn’t long after I became a believer at age 13 that I realized that sometimes, it’s easy to be “righteous” for the sake of show. At the same time, I don’t know anyone who intentionally sets out to be hypocritical in his or her actions. What happens, I suspect, is that several forces come together that lead to the “show.” If we already have a reputation for being godly, we don’t want to give people reason to think otherwise. If we have positions of leadership in the church, we want to keep quiet anything that might hinder that leadership or cost us that position. If others point to us as role models, we often find delight in that recognition—and we live out the “show” even when our behind-the-scenes life isn’t quite so righteous. We practice our righteousness in front of others either to build our reputation or to protect it.
Jesus, of course, strongly warned against living for the sake of others’ recognition. Indeed, He cautioned that those who live that way will get only temporary, fleeting reward in this world—and nothing from the Father in heaven. Today’s false righteousness might bring today’s recognition, but it will not bring eternal reward that we might then give back to the One who saved us. What we do for ourselves, whether it’s giving, praying, fasting, or any other good work, will not honor the Father. Monitoring our hearts with integrity thus becomes imperative.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you checking your own heart and motive today?
PRAYER: “Father, don’t let me deceive myself about my righteousness.”
MONDAY’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Genesis 18-20, Matthew 6:9-7:6
Two-year plan: Genesis 10, Matthew 4:12-25