Aug 1984 - Editorial

Men like to receive the plaudits of their fellows. This trait in human nature was referred to by the Lord in His teaching and is examined in this month's article on the Sermon on the Mount. The Pharisees were particularly prone to this weakness. They contrived to be seen when they prayed and when they gave alms, for they loved to have the glory of men (Mat. 6:2; 23:5, 6).

The Lord counselled his disciples to act differently and to avoid all ostentation. Our good deeds and prayers should not be motivated by the desire for human approbation. We are concerned rather to have divine approval for our actions, for it has eternal value. Our heavenly Father sees what is done in secret and He will recompense fittingly in His own good time.

The desire for place and prominence is another human failing that has to be suppressed. Our service for God would be more effective and more well-pleasing to Him if to a greater extent we implemented Paul's exhortation: "Doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself" (Phil. 2:3). There is profit in pondering again and again that delightful pen-picture of the "Christ of the lowly mind" that the apostle presented to the Philippians and to us (Phil. 2:5-1l).

The moral laxity and corruption in the world around us is highlighted in this month's "Focus". How thankful we should be that commitment to a life of faith saves us from "the corruption that is in the world by lust" (2 Pet. 1:4). Standards in keeping with those set out in the word of God must be maintained in our lives and in our personal relationships. We should be "blameless and harmless" and "without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation" (Phil. 2:15). We should also exercise a positive influence for good on those around us.

Individuals and nations are accountable to Almighty God for their actions. This solemn fact is often lost sight of. Divine dealings with the nations of the earth at the time of the Lord's return to earth are the subject of this month's article in our continuing series dealing with future events.

unknown | Aug 1984
Editorial