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Worship to be Seen (by God)

worshipwebsize.jpgContinuing with a few weeks of encouraging us to memorize scriptures, the selection for this week is a single verse, the first of Matthew 6. It is simple, but a profound statement of an important aspect of the mind of Christ, and thus is an integral pillar of the Christian faith.

The ESV renders the passage as follows: Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 6:1).  One’s motives are very important to God, and it only makes sense that it would be so. God made us for worship, and specifically to worship him. Our deepest need is to worship and serve God. Worshipping and serving God dignifies humanity, encourages us and gives us hope, and is the realization of true purpose and meaning in life. Not only so, but true and spiritual worship, done in sincerity, pleases God. One ought to see the privilege of giving joy and pleasure to the one who made us and saved us as the least he can do. However, mere outward form is not worship.

God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). It does not please God when one offers “worship” mindlessly, as if it is just another routine; nor is God happy when one merely pretends to adore him in order to gain status or approval from other men. To do such is to mock God and to cast disgrace and disrespect upon him, and is a grievous sin. The passage worthy of storing up in our hearts this week warns us not to “do righteousness” to be seen, and commended by others among mankind, but to do it for God alone, and for his glory above any other motive.

Written by Joshua Pappas · Filed Under Bible Blog 

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