The Secret Life
Of Successful Christians
Introduction:
"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
In chapter 6 of Matthew, Jesus is giving us practical instruction on Christian living. Specifically, He causes us to focus on our motives. Whom, exactly, are we trying to please? It is entirely possible, it seems, to spend a lifetime doing "righteous" things and yet, not be right with God. Jesus tells us to "beware" of the temptation to live for the applause of people. He further tells us, that if that is our motivation, we forfeit any heavenly reward.
Part 2: Praying in Secret
"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when 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. "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." - Matthew 6:5-8 ESV
Prayer is Important
Prayer is our opportunity to individually converse with our heavenly Father. Prayer is our audience with God. In prayer we honor him. In prayer we worship, ask forgiveness, and make petition. In prayer we seek his guidance for our lives.
Avoiding Hypocrisy
The word Hypocrite comes from the Greek word hypokritēs which literally means "actor". In Jesus' day it did not necessarily have the same negative connotation that we associate with the word "hypocrite" today. Jesus is telling us not behave as an actor on a stage playing to the crowd. We are not to seek the applause, fanfare or even approval of the people around us. We are to pray secretly. The reward we seek must not be the praise of people, but the approval of God.
Prayer is the sincere conversation between the heart of the believer and the Heavenly Father. We do not earn an audience with God in prayer. Jesus earned that audience for us. Prayer is not a ritual. Chants or grandiose oratories do not impress Him. What he seeks is purity of heart.
"I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;" [1 Timothy 2:8 ESV]
Things to ponder...
- Do I consider prayer to be a vital part of my daily life?
- How often do I pray?
- What does the Bible mean with the phrase “pray without ceasing," [1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV]?
- Name some important components of prayer:
- How and when should I approach God in prayer?
Significant verses regarding prayer...
"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."" [1 Peter 3:12 ESV]
"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." [Philippians 4:6 ESV]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." [Colossians 4:2 ESV]
"For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer." [1 Timothy 4:4-5 ESV]
"And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." [James 5:15-16 ESV]
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