Be Careful Not To Do The Right Thing For The Wrong Reason

 Much of Christ's sermon on the mount was on the righteousness behavior that God expects and demands from those who by faith in God have become His children, by faith.
 Jesus did not say that we would become children of God by exhibiting righteous behavior, for by righteous works of the flesh shall no man living be justified. Rather He was teaching that godly behavior and righteous deeds would show that we are His children. Godly action and attitudes should demonstrate that we are already His children. Gracious words and holy deeds should be spiritual fruit that is being shown forth in the lives of all believers.. because they are children of God.
 Practicing righteousness and godly living as Christ instructed is the path to spiritual maturity, but He gives a severe warning about the motive behind godly works and the intention behind the performance of righteous deeds: beware of practicing your righteousness before others to be noticed by them, is Christ's serious warning to His disciples. Jesus is cautioning them to Be Careful Not To Do The Right Thing For The Wrong Reason.
 God is the One that searches the heart. He alone knows the moment the heart of the unbeliever starts to trust in Christ for salvation but He also knows the heart of the believer.. and His rewards for Christians are entirely based on the motive behind the works that we perform.
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, keep us we Pray from the temptations to do hypocritical works of the flesh in order to receive the applause of others. Examine our hearts and search the hidden motives of our minds and expose all that is offensive to You. Help us to live and work to Your praise and glory from this day forward, in Jesus name we pray, AMEN.