Saturday, 06 December 2008

  • Revelife: The Publicity of Faith

    Matthew 6:5-18 (NLT)

    When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

    Here Jesus clearly states that bringing your faith into public view in a manner that draws attention to you rather than to Him is a hypocritical behavior. Take a look at some of the blogs here on Revelife, yours or otherwise, and really think about why they were posted. Is the writer just a Christian who happens to be proud of his or her writing skills, or are they putting their problems out into public view as a cry for help or attention from other people, or are they really attempting to turn readers' eyes toward God?

    I've used Revelife and Xanga as a means to gain publicity for my writing, which I do pride myself on. This passage has sincerely challenged my thinking, and will greatly benefit my relationship with God now and in the future.

    What are your thoughts?

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