by the principle He has just presented. First, in the matter of giving care needs to be exercised lest it be done to gain the praise of men. When one gives for the alleviation of need he should not blazon it forth from the housetops. Such action is too much like that of the hypocrites. A hypocrite is a mere pre tender and God hates the sin of preten sion. Remember the scathing words of rebuke which our Lord uttered against hypocrites when He was here on earth. (See Matt. 23:13ff.) True giving in God’s sight is that which is given to His service regardless of the knowledge of men. Again, our Lord says that they who give to be seen of men, need not expect any reward from Heaven. They already have their reward in the satis faction of their vanity. Then, in the matter of praying care needs to be observed lest the exercise becomes a mere form to be observed by men. The latter is not really praying at all. It is just hollow pretension and fails to get farther than the voice of the subject. Such prayer is hypocritical also. True praying is talking to God. The one who earnestly engages in it is oblivious to the gaze of men. In fact, he would rather be unobserved by men. He finds the greatest blessing when he is alone with God in the “ closet.” Such praying is devoid of “vain repetitions” or meaningless words and phrases. It comes definitely to grips with God and all unnecessary expressions are omitted. Again, in the matter of fasting the element of artificiality should be elimi nated. Our Lord calls attention to the way certain hypocrites engage in fast ing. They disfigure themselves and go about with a mournful aspect in order to gain the sympathy of men. Once again, our Lord reminds such as these that they need not expect any reward from Heaven. They have already re ceived their reward at the hands of men. God detests mere externalism in re ligion. He is interested in the heart of things. In all our service we need to have an eye single to God’s approval (v. 22). Memory Verse: “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon him in truth” (Psa. 145:18). In many churches and Sunday school classes people “ say” the Lord’s prayer. They have learned it “ by heart,” and while they are saying the words they are thinking of their friends, what they are going to have for Sunday dinner, or some other things that have nothing to do with prayer. Surely God is not pleased with such “prayer” as this, for merely saying a group of words is not praying! Prayer is talking to God just as you would talk to a friend, telling Him of your love for Him, thanking Him for His blessings, and telling Him about your needs. Only those who know the S E P T E M B E R , 1 9 5 2 Helps for the Children How to Pray Matt. 6:1-8
Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour have the right to pray, for God is not the Father of those who are not born again. The only prayer that God hears from the unsaved is the prayer for forgiveness for their sins. Some peo ple pray out loud in church to be heard by others. Some people say things in their prayers that they want to tell others, rather than talking to God when they pray. Other people simply talk to God and mean each word that they say. This is what prayer really is. Some people have one time for prayer each day and then never speak to God during the rest of the day. Some people talk to God only on Sunday; He never hears their voice the rest of the week. If some people talked to their friends as little as they talk to God, they soon would find that they had no friends. How precious it is to love the Lord Jesus so much that you talk with Him all day long about everything that happens dur ing the day! As you walk to school you may talk with Him; you may pray about your studies; He wants you to talk with Him and ask His strength when Satan tempts you to sin. He wants you to thank Him for each blessing that He gives'to you during the day. You do not need to pray out loud. God can read the thoughts in your heart just as He can hear the words o f your lips. Sometimes you cannot talk out loud, but you can always pray in your heart. Remember God’s promise: “ The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him . . . in truth.” The lesson this week is taken from the last chapter of the so-called Sermon on the Mount. It should be remembered that this Sermon was delivered to the followers of Christ. It does not present the way of salvation to sinners but rather principles to be observed by those who are heirs of the kingdom of Heaven. It is for those who are already the children of God. Thus in it we find teachings that are applicable to Chris tians today. We know that this is so because many of the teachings found j herein are found later in the New Tes tament Epistles. The Golden Rule 7:12 It should be made clear that the Golden Rule is not a way of salvation. It is a summary of Old Testament law, and no man can keep it perfectly, for man is a sinner. Our Lord has given the believer such an exhortation because he has within him the love of Christ which alone can enable a person to keep the Rule. The Golden Rule cannot save, but it should be the normal fruit of salvation. Whatever the saved man con siders is reasonable that others should do to him, the same he ought to be willing to do to them. Oct. 26, 1952 DOING GOD'S WILL Matt. 7:12, 15-27 Pointers on the Lesson
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