Let us be honest to God and others

The Apostle Paul

evening “evangelising”at a local food court on a promotional day that sees many customers coming to the place. Whilst the act of evangelism might be a good deed in itself, my motivation was simply to tick the box in a to do list that was designed to impress other Christians.

Was this right in God’s eyes? Could it be possible that the morality of an act is defined by the motive for doing it?

Therefore, I would like to remind you that Jesus is concerned with your motives. We are ultimately accountable to Him. In other words, the right thing done with the wrong motive is not counted as good or righteous by God, for He cares about your motives as well as your actions.

Reader, you must be completely honest about what is in your heart.

In this regard, I have always been encouraged by the Apostle Thomas. Thomas could have simply faked it in the eyes of the other Apostles when they told him that Christ had risen from the dead. However, he chose to be totally honest about the doubt in his heart and said, ‘‘Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’’ ( John 20: 25b).

Surprisingly, Jesus did not punish Thomas for his brutal honesty but was very patient and gracious with this unbelieving sceptic.

In fact, Jesus perfomed a special miracle for Thomas by suddenly appearing before him in a locked room. Then Jesus went on to address the root cause of Thomas’ problem. He did this by showing Thomas the evidence that was needed to strengthen Thomas’ faith. Only then did Thomas declare, “You are my Lord and my God” ( John 20:28).

I wonder what would have happened to Thomas if he had been dishonest about the doubt in his heart. You can fool some people sometimes but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. Most importantly, you can’t fool God, any of the time.

When you find yourself acting for the wrong motives, stop!If you find yourself hiding what is in your heart from God and others, stop! If you do not, you will give the enemy a gate- way into your life, allowing him to establish a stronghold there.

Rather follow the example of Thomas and honestly admit your struggles, doubts, fears and anxieties to God.

Where necessary, confess your sins and struggles to another Christian. If you do this the Bible tells us that God is faithful and just. He forgives you of your sins and makes your heart clean.

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