Welcome to Day 26 of the 40Days of Return. Today I like to reinforce what Mary Aina shared with you yesterday – The Rewarder of Secret Deeds. The scripture says: Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden (1Timothy 5:24-25).
The unashamed Committers
Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment (1 Timothy 5:24a). The Bible verse divides sins into two categories – visible and hidden. Some people’s sins are clearly evident. These are people who commit sin and do not hide it. They know the evil things they think about or do is sinful and they continue in it.
People around them can see their sins and they seem to be prepared for the judgment of God, even though they don’t have an idea what God’s judgment looks like. If they do, they will cry for their sins, repent, and turn to God.
The Secretive Wrong Doers
… but those of some men follow them later (1 Timothy 5:24b). This is the second category of sin. The committers look very saintly and righteous outwardly but they themselves know their own lifestyle and sinful ways. People around them do not know them because they try to hide their sinful life from people. They keep their sin under cover. But the Bible says their sins follow after them. That might give the committers some sense of security now, their guilt of sin remains within them, troubling their heart.
They seem to take solace in the fact that nobody knows about them. Yet the Bible says their sins will find them out, it follows them all around. That is much more dangerous, isn’t it? The shame that lies ahead is not something they have the slightest idea about. If they do, they will just go ahead and cry to God for Help and settle the matter with God now. They will call upon the Lord for mercy and confess the sins and settle it with God and men.
The Evident Good Workers
Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident (1 Timothy 5:25a). Here God is flipping the coin. You know what, just like there are two categories of sins, both known to God; there are two categories of good work. The Scripture describes the first category as good works that are clearly evident. We are saved by Grace through faith, NOT by our good works. But God saved us to do good works with our new nature (Ephesians 2:10), He wants us to share the love we have received from Him with others around us.
The scripture says some good works are clearly evident, visible either because they are just not possible to hide or because the doers make a show. No, you don’t want to make a show, that is simply unprofitable and has no rewards before God. So even if it is just not possible to hide the good work, make sure in your heart to do it to the Glory of God. Never take praise for whatever God does through you.
The Hidden BUT Unforgotten Good Work
… and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden (1 Timothy 5:25b). Here is the second category of good works, the hidden ones. God takes great delight in good works done anonymously, without any showcase. Many people are bothered that their good work will go unnoticed if they do not make it public or make a show if it, but the scripture clearly says they cannot be hidden. Why? Because God sees what we do in the secret and He is a great rewarder.
The scripture says in Matthew 6:3-4: But 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.
That is what Jesus taught us as his disciples. I understand how you feel when people praise you for what you have given, but don’t let that good feeling rob you of the greater reward that God who sees what is done in secret pays people who do his will.
Focusing on the Glory of God
I understand that as humans we love to make a show and get the praise, but that seems to be the exact opposite of what God loves us to do. Jesus taught his disciples to not make a show of their giving, fasting, and even their praying. He wants us to keep an attitude of humility and focus on bringing Glory to God, and not ourselves.
The scripture also says in Matthew 6:5-6: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But 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.
No More Self-Promotion
Let me ask you, do you believe God sees into the most hidden thought and acts? If your answer is yes, then let that guide your life and reflect on the ways you will from now conduct your affairs. Be quick to adjust when your intention is messed up because you might easily deceive men but you cannot deceive God.
If you caught yourself walking in self-promotion, be quick to repent of it and adjust your ways. Quickly judge that thought and action, and adjust yourself, aligning with God’s will. If pleasing God matters to you, then you must be ready to judge all sins and only walk in the secret when it comes to doing good works!
