Matthew 6: 1-8

(Matthew 6: 1-8)

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

True alms can only be done by regenerated people. Philippians who knew only about the values of Greek and Roman worlds were spared their hearts and materials for helping poor Jews. The change of the Philippians can only be explained by this. In Philippians 4: 15-19『Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 』

Christians must handle wealth with a spirit of stewardship and expect spiritual rewards. The money used for the flesh is valuable for the life of the present, but it does not produce permanent fruit for eternal life. In 2 Corinthians 8: 9-11『For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.  And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 』

Prayer must be offered to God, and we must remember that God is preparing to hear our prayers before we pray. Remember this and look at whether you really pray to God or, if not, to pray to others. Prayer is fellowship with God. The only way sinful humans reach God, is based on the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The saint is united with the death of Christ, so in Christ he can be cleansed before God, so that he can come to God in that way. In other words, prayer is for the saints only. Prayer is given in the Holy Spirit as in Ephesians 2:18. When the saint prays to God, the Holy Spirit leads the saint to God, directs the saint, and makes him feel God. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads the Saints to God.

God is always ready to hear the prayers of the saints before they pray. Thus, believers who pray in God's will can pray with confidence. In order for the saint to receive what the saint requires from God, he must know about God's will and God's ways. This can only be learned through the Bible. In 1 John 3:22『And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 』 God has clearly defined who can receive answers to prayer. God receives the prayers of those who are in Christ. The Saints can pray to God in Christ.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Matthew 2:7-11

(Matthew 2:7-11) Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.   When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. In ancient times, gold, frankincense, and myrrh were mainly offerings to kings or gods. Biblical scholars say, "In 243 BC, the offerings of Seleucus II Callinicus dedicated to the Temple of Apollo in Miletus included gold, fra...
Read more

Matthew 2:1-6

  (Matthew 2:1-6) Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,   Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. (Matthew 2:1-6) Jesus came down to the earth according to the prophecy of the Old Testament 『 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler ...
Read more

Matthew 2:12-15

(Matthew 2:12-15) And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.   And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:   And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. "It might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son." The prophet quoted by Matthew is Hosea. In Hosea 11:1 My son means a young Israeli community. It is to tell how God called the Israelites from Egypt in the past to "Israel apostate through Baal." “ Called ou...
Read more