The Heart That Honors God
"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
Picture two chairs in front of you. One marked OLD, the other marked NEW. One represents who you were. The other represents who you are becoming. You have sat in both. The difference is not just about your actions. It is about your heart.
The OLD chair is where we all start. Born into sin, shaped by a world that teaches us to chase fame, wealth, and applause. In that chair, we measure our worth by likes and followers, by compliments and attention. We give only when it benefits us. We do good if it makes us look good. In that chair, we are our own gods, building our own kingdoms.
Jesus was not impressed by religious people doing religious things for show. He knew their hearts were still stuck in the OLD chair. And He warns us not to fall into that same trap. If the goal of your giving, serving, or praying is to be seen, then that is all the reward you get. A few claps. A little recognition. And that’s it.
But the NEW chair is different. In this seat, your heart has been changed. You are no longer performing for people. You are living to please God. You give because you want to reflect His generosity. You serve because He first served you. You sacrifice because your life is not about you anymore. In this chair, your motivation shifts from building your name to honoring His.
This is what it means to live with a heart that honors God. It is not flashy. It is not self-promoting. It is sincere, humble, and Spirit-led. The world may never see it. But God does. And He rewards what is done in secret.
Today, check your chair. Where are you sitting? Are you doing good things with the wrong heart? Or have you stepped into the NEW, where every action flows from love for your Father?
He is not after perfection. He is after your heart.
Picture two chairs in front of you. One marked OLD, the other marked NEW. One represents who you were. The other represents who you are becoming. You have sat in both. The difference is not just about your actions. It is about your heart.
The OLD chair is where we all start. Born into sin, shaped by a world that teaches us to chase fame, wealth, and applause. In that chair, we measure our worth by likes and followers, by compliments and attention. We give only when it benefits us. We do good if it makes us look good. In that chair, we are our own gods, building our own kingdoms.
Jesus was not impressed by religious people doing religious things for show. He knew their hearts were still stuck in the OLD chair. And He warns us not to fall into that same trap. If the goal of your giving, serving, or praying is to be seen, then that is all the reward you get. A few claps. A little recognition. And that’s it.
But the NEW chair is different. In this seat, your heart has been changed. You are no longer performing for people. You are living to please God. You give because you want to reflect His generosity. You serve because He first served you. You sacrifice because your life is not about you anymore. In this chair, your motivation shifts from building your name to honoring His.
This is what it means to live with a heart that honors God. It is not flashy. It is not self-promoting. It is sincere, humble, and Spirit-led. The world may never see it. But God does. And He rewards what is done in secret.
Today, check your chair. Where are you sitting? Are you doing good things with the wrong heart? Or have you stepped into the NEW, where every action flows from love for your Father?
He is not after perfection. He is after your heart.
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1 Comment
I was searching on TV last Sunday on the Christian stations for a good empowering Holy Spirit filled message from the Lord to listen to. I ran across your name for the fist time on that station and clicked. I was truly blessed by your sermon and my soul was satisfied and filled with joy and peace. I was motivated to continue on serving and praising the Lord with gladness no matter what circumstances are going on. I am encouraged also to continue to win souls for the Lord through witnessing(by my lifestyle & and sharing His Word) to the Lost people. I encourage and pray that you continue to preach the Gospel with no compromise but preach and teach the whole counsel of the Lord! I also thank you and your church for the wonderful mission work here at home and abroad that you all doing through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
nThank you for your service and pray thar you continue to preach the whole truth under the Power of the Holy Spirit with NO COMPROMISING! I will continue to listen to your sermons and my prayers are with you.
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