Secrecy

“In the secret, in the quiet place, in the stillness you are there.”

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 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. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you… And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4, 16-18 (ESV)

In the above passage Jesus gives specific instructions on situations that require our withdrawal from society and our quiet communion with God the father. He addresses how we should deal with money, and our character is tested by how we give. We should give without others knowing about it. It is not to glorify our efforts, but to glorify God with our faithfulness. Another topic is prayer. We should have a prayer closet, a place of secrecy, for just us and God. A real, natural and regular prayer life is the most reliable vital sign of Christian health. Praying should be as natural and necessary to life as breathing. I love the importance Martin Luther gives to prayer when he said “Prayer is the work of a Christian.” Fasting is the next topic. It should be a humbling experience for us, where we earnestly seek God’s face. No other person should know about it, we should not act like we are suffering piously. When we really long to spend time with God in prayer, fasting and with our giving, we will accelerate our spiritual growth into a man/woman after God’s own heart.