Five Things Between You and God

Before you start todays devotional, ask the Lord to use it to grow you up in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What motivates us to do good works? In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about how our works reflect our relationship with God. Doing good works may make us look religious, but many “good-looking” people have never come to Jesus by faith. True righteousness comes through trusting Christ. Only then does our motive match our practice.

Let’s explore five “righteous” things Jesus says are between our souls and God.

When you give money. Your giving is between you and God, not to be noticed by people. Jesus said to do your giving in secret. The Father sees it and will reward openly.

When you talk to God. The same principles apply when you pray: Don’t do it so others notice. You may get their praise, but your prayers won’t be answered. Sincerity and simplicity mark genuine prayer. Just tell the Lord what’s on your mind. Ask Him for help.

When you remove distractions. If you’re going to go without food in order to focus on God and pray, don’t tell anybody about it to look pious and godly. Just do it—privately.

What you do with your things. Jesus says you can send your “treasure” to heaven by putting it in the Lord’s work. Then your investment becomes legal tender in heaven.

How God provides for you. If I give to God, who will take care of me? God will. As He takes care of the flowers and the birds, He takes care of you. As He did yesterday, He’ll do today and tomorrow. Just put Him first.

In light of these righteous acts, how should Christians treat other children of the King?

Jesus warns us first not to judge each other’s motives, because we don’t know why they acted as they did. Instead, discern their motives and character by their fruits, the results of their lives. How do you determine when to judge and not to judge? Ask for God’s help. Ask, seek, and knock.

Two roads; Two foundations

Finally, Jesus compares our path to eternity to two roads, then to two buildings.

We’re all on either a wide or a narrow way. Think of the first road like a funnel. You enter at the broad gate, but the path narrows down until you reach death and hell. On the other road, you enter at the narrow gate, where you find Jesus Christ. When you enter through Him you get life, and the more you walk with Him, the wider the road gets. When you come to Jesus Christ and rest in Him, you can build a life of fruitfulness. If you build a house based on your human goodness and effort, it’s like building on sand.

The Sermon on the Mount is a glorious passage that brings you to the person of Jesus Christ. You can say, “Lord, you told us how to live, but I don’t measure up. I can’t do it in my own strength. I need Your mercy. I need You as a Savior!” When you turn to Him like that, He gives you the Holy Spirit so He might produce these things in your life!

1. What is the difference between doing good works and true righteousness that comes through trusting Christ?

2. Why would Jesus find it necessary to teach against giving that is done for the purpose of being seen by others?

3. What does the way you use your money say about your spiritual life?

Additional Resources

Listen to Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s complete teachings on Matthew 6:26-7:29 and Matthew 5-7.