Practicing Righeousness

Living Before the Audience of One

Happy Father’s Day again to all the dads, grandfathers, and father-like figures in our church family. Fatherhood is a gift from God, and today we celebrate the men who have loved, led, sacrificed, encouraged, and shown up in ways both seen and unseen.

At the same time, we recognize that Father’s Day can carry sorrow for many. Some are grieving the loss of a father. Some long to be fathers. Some have complicated or painful stories connected to their dads. In the midst of celebration and sorrow, we remember this: God is our good Father. He is present, compassionate, near, and faithful.

And how fitting that, as we continue through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus turns our attention to our Heavenly Father.

In Matthew 6, Jesus says:

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.”
— Matthew 6:1

Jesus describes the Christian life as “practicing righteousness.” In other words, we are learning to live rightly. We are practicing a life that reflects the character and kingdom of God.

But Jesus presses into a deeper question: Who are we doing it for?

That question matters. A lot.

In fact, Jesus repeats the same idea three times in this passage. When He talks about giving, praying, and fasting, He says again and again:

“Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Your Father sees.

Your Father knows.

Your Father rewards.

That is the heartbeat of this passage.

The Danger of Performing Our Faith

Jesus warns us not to turn our righteousness into a performance.

I love the way The Message paraphrases Matthew 6:1:

“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.”

That is such a needed word.

We can do the right things for the wrong reasons. We can give, pray, serve, attend church, volunteer, sing, and participate in Christian activities — all while quietly hoping someone notices.

And if the applause of people is what we’re after, Jesus says that applause is the reward.

That’s it.

If we are living to impress others, then when they notice us, compliment us, thank us, or pat us on the back, we have received what we were working for.

But Jesus wants more for us than that.

The applause of people is fickle and fleeting. It comes and goes. People forget. Opinions change. Approval can disappear overnight.

But the affirmation of our Heavenly Father is different. It is lasting. It is soul-satisfying. It reaches places in us that human applause never can.

God is the audience of One.

And when we begin living for Him, it changes everything.

When You Give

Jesus does not say, “If you give.”

He says, “When you give.”

Giving is part of practicing righteousness. It is part of kingdom living. But again, Jesus goes straight to the heart.

Why do we give?

Do we give to be noticed?
Do we give to keep our name on a record somewhere?
Do we give because we feel guilty?
Do we give because we don’t want to look bad?

Or do we give because we are overwhelmed by the grace of God?

Do we give because we are grateful for His provision?
Do we give because we trust Him?
Do we give because our treasure and our hearts belong to Him?

Paul writes:

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:7

God is always looking at the heart.

When the offering is received, God is not merely watching the amount. He is watching the motive. He sees faithfulness. He sees trust. He sees sacrifice. He sees joy.

And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

When You Pray

Again, Jesus does not say, “If you pray.”

He says, “When you pray.”

Prayer is not meant to be a performance. It is not about impressing people with our words or sounding especially spiritual. Prayer is conversation with our Father.

God actually wants to hear from His children.

That should still amaze us.

The living God of the universe invites us to speak to Him. He wants us to bring our fears, needs, burdens, joys, gratitude, questions, and confusion to Him.

Paul says in Philippians 4:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
— Philippians 4:6

That is easier to quote than to live, isn’t it?

Many of us are good worriers. Worry can feel natural. Prayer can feel like work. But Jesus invites us into something better.

Instead of worrying about everything, pray about everything.

And what happens when we pray?

“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:7

That may be part of the reward Jesus is talking about.

Peace when circumstances are uncertain.
Joy when life is heavy.
Strength when we feel weak.
The quiet assurance that our Father hears us.

Your Father sees. Your Father hears. Your Father rewards.

When You Fast

Jesus also says, “When you fast.”

Fasting is probably the least practiced of the three disciplines Jesus mentions here. But fasting is a way of turning our hunger into prayer. It is a way of saying, “God, I need You more than I need this.”

When we give up food, or another regular appetite or habit, we create space to seek God more intentionally.

Fasting is not about looking miserable so others will think we are spiritual. It is not about drawing attention to ourselves. Jesus says to wash your face, comb your hair, and act normal.

In other words: don’t make a production out of it.

The goal of fasting is not to impress people. The goal is to draw near to God.

Sometimes we say, “I don’t have time to pray,” or “I don’t have time to read Scripture.” But fasting helps us confront the truth that we often make time for what we value.

Maybe we fast from a meal.
Maybe we fast from television.
Maybe we fast from social media.
Maybe we fast from noise.
Maybe we give up something that has occupied too much space in our hearts.

And in that space, we seek the Lord.

Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

The Motive Check

This passage invites all of us to do a motive check.

Why do I give?
Why do I pray?
Why do I fast?
Why do I serve?
Why do I attend church?
Why do I worship?
Why do I do the things I do?

Am I doing them for God?
Or am I doing them to be seen by others?

That is not always an easy question to answer. Our motives can be mixed. We can genuinely love God and still quietly crave recognition. We can serve faithfully and still feel hurt when no one notices.

But Jesus is freeing us from the exhausting need to perform.

We do not have to live for the applause of people.

We can live before our Father.

He sees what no one else sees. He knows the prayers no one hears. He sees the gifts no one applauds. He sees the sacrifices no one thanks us for. He sees the faithfulness that happens in quiet, ordinary places.

And He will reward.

Communion and Remembering Jesus

As we came to the Lord’s Table, we were reminded again that even communion can become routine if we are not careful.

We can take the bread and cup without much thought. We can go through the motions. Or we can pause and remember.

Jesus gave His body for us.
Jesus shed His blood for us.
Jesus paid for our sins.
Jesus gave us life.

Communion is not a performance. It is remembrance. It is worship. It is gratitude. It is an invitation to come again to the grace of Christ.

Paul writes:

“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
— Colossians 3:17

Whatever you do.

Giving.
Praying.
Fasting.
Taking communion.
Going to work.
Raising kids.
Serving quietly.
Loving your spouse.
Sitting with grief.
Celebrating joy.
Living ordinary life.

Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Your Father Sees

So this week, remember the repeated promise of Jesus:

Your Father sees what is done in secret, and He will reward you.

Live for Him.

Pray to Him.

Give because of Him.

Fast to draw near to Him.

Serve with your eyes on Him.

And when no one else notices, remember: your Father does.