There is a level in our spiritual walk we should all strive for. I’ll call that level “Just Between You and God”.
Like children, when we start our spiritual journey, there is usually a desire to broadcast the good we’ve done.
We feel a sense of significance or even superiority when others applaud what we’ve done.
Sure, Matthew 5:16 talks about shining your light so others can see your good deeds and give glory to God, but the Bible also warns against doing works just to be seen.
This is why getting to the “Just Between You and God” level is key.
As you know, Jesus shared ways to go about this in Matthew 6.
Regarding giving, he said, “When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (v. 3-4).
About prayer, he said, “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (v. 6).
Similarly, for fasting he said, “When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (v. 17-18).
When you do things secretly, there is no way for others to recognize you for it. You don’t miss God’s reward for the relatively insignificant reward of people’s praise.
Matthew 6 continues, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (v. 21). Knowing that you’ll be recognized in eternity for good deeds is a way to keep your heart set on heaven rather than the world.
So, practice keeping things just between you and God.
The Wise Believer does, knowing that a reward far greater than human praise will come.
