THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018.
TOPIC: CONSEQUENCES OF PRETENCE
TEXT: MARK 12:38-44
KEY VERSE:
"Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation" (Mark 12:40).
Pretence is synonymous with hypocrisy, which is sinfulness dressed up in the garment of righteousness to hide the filth.
This is true of the Scribes in today’s text, who pretended to be true religious leaders by wearing religious garments and acted in a pious way to gain status, recognition and respect. Though, they exploited the people through their religious activities and position, they took time to offer long prayers. The Lord, knowing their impure motives, exposed them by cautioning the people against their sins of pride and hypocrisy. He had earlier rebuked and pronounced woes upon them (Matthew 23:14,15), and now declared damnation on them.
Believers need to take heed to the warning of the Lord. We should know that true followers of Christ are not distinguished by showing off religion, praying unscripturally in the public glare and serving as unsaved workers. Unlike the scribes, our service of giving unto the Lord whether small or big, in secret or in public, should be done faithfully, without pretence and out of a pure heart. Note that, religion without righteousness equals rebellion against God’s word which attracts damning consequences.
God requires that we serve and worship Him in spirit and in truth. Those who believe they can act piously in pretence to gain the adulations of men will eventually discover to their loss that God only accepts and rewards services rendered in holiness and righteousness before Him.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Hypocrisy is foolishness before God.
BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR:
Haggai
