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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
Some say, “Just preach the truth and let other people alone!” Others seem to delight in condemning the actions of others without any consideration given to the replacing of inappropriate actions with appropriate ones. Jesus did not come down on either side of these coins; He preached the truth, pointed out the error of others, and provided Divinely approved courses of action that should be followed to replace unapproved actions. Our study today will take a brief look at how these principles played out in His teachings.
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6.2-4). His statement did three things: 1) It showed that the actions of others was condemned, 2) It specified some things that should not be done, and 3) It gave true counsel on what ought to be done to supplant the condemned action. Jesus loved the truth, but He knew that when He preached it, others would be condemned. And condemned they were, not by the truth, but by their actions that ran contrary to truth. Truth does not condemn; it saves and sets free! Jesus did not believe that He should just preach the truth and let other people alone!
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6.5-8). Once again the pattern is unmistakable; Jesus loved the truth so much that He was willing to point out the error of others, specify what was wrong with what they did, and indicate how similar actions could be performed so as to make them acceptable to God.
“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6.16-18).
Jesus was a positive preacher. He positively condemned error and preached truth. He positively refused to withhold judgment when judgment was needed. He positively demonstrated what ought to be done in order to be pleasing to God. He positively loved the Truth!
Questions:
1. To whom did Jesus ingratiate Himself by condemning the hypocrites and heathens?
2. Did Jesus condemn repetitions in prayers? Or did He condemn vain repetitions? Is there a difference?
3. Was Jesus a negative preacher? Would He be classified as one by the criteria some apply today?
4. Why didn’t Jesus just preach the truth and let other people alone?
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