How can we discern between true and fake righteousness? In ourselves and others? What motivates fake righteousness? True Righteousness? How can we examine our hearts before God to be righteous in God’s sight?
True Righteousness
Overview
Matt 6:1-4
Objectives
Position
Intention
Renumeration
False vs. True Righteousness
Recap
Discussion
OBJECTIVES
To:
- Examine our hearts and service before God
- Identify activities with incorrect motives
- Reset goals to please God
Seek and achieve eternal rewards
Bible Passage
Matt 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
False righteousness
Matt 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them;
Position: For whom, where, when, how do we portray our righteousness?
Whom – The elite, crowds, rich, family, regular associates?
Where – boards, committees, church, home, neighbourhood, office?
When – convenient, comfortable, all the time?
How – Popular, cool, trendy, accepted?
Position - Exalted
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matt 23:12
Eg. Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, tried to exalt himself to be equal to God and was brought right down to the ground.. till the day he acknowledged and bowed down to the power of God.
Intention - to please men
In Acts 12:1-3 – Herod arrests Peter to please the Jews
Acts 25:9 Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”
Intention
Galations 1:10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Intention: Discern don’t judge
1 Corinthians 4:5 ESV Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
Intention
Intention flips the balance. With the right intention, the position and renumeration changes.
In what situation is pleasing men good with good intentions? (Eph 6:6, Romans 15:2)
renumeration
In the New Testament we see Diotrephes after applause, publicity and control. (3 John 9)
In the Old Testament we see Gehazi, Elisha’s servant after popularity, identity and wealth ( 2 Kings 5:26,27)
True Righteousness
Matt 6:4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
For whom, where, when, how do we portray our righteousness?
Whom – God, unseen and unknown people?
Where – remote areas?
When – outside the comfort zone, alone?
How – serving others?
Position - Exalt Only God
Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
James 1:9 The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field
Position - Strategic
The Israelites always won, not through strong positions, but strategic positions. God has placed us strategically to be of most impact in our specific position.
Joshua 8:7 “And you shall rise from your ambush and take possession of the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.”
intention
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 ESV
For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
renumeration
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Colossians 3:23-24, NIV
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58, NIV
Contrast the reward in the two verses above
renumeration
Romans 2:6 NIV God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Recap
In public, in private, where do we measure up? Do we still wear masks?
False righteousness has the following traits:
- Position – Before men
- Intention – Honoured by men
- Renumeration – From men
True rightousness on the other hand features:
- Position – in silence, before God
- Intention – Honoured by God
- Renumeration – From God
Discussion
1.What are good things that we can do for Christ with bad intentions and vice versa?
2.How can we assess our true motives when “All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.” Proverbs 16:2
3.How can we tilt the scale and rip the masks when we are fundamentally sinful?
4.What are some checks and balances we can place in our lives to prevent wrong motives and be different?