Holy Boldness

Chapter 13 T he power of S ecret D evotion

Secrecy is the key to intimacy.

In Matthew, Chapter 6, Jesus identified several basic disciplines that would help internalize the teaching that He was bringing. Jesus identifies three disciplines that were widely practiced among religious Jews and adds a simple adjustment in the way they were practiced. Alms giving, prayer, and fasting were nothing new in Israel at the time of Jesus. These were widely taught and practiced. But Jesus emphasized that every person must make sure that he does them privately before God and not as a pretense before men. Secret service to God is a true expression of the fear of the Lord and nothing is more important in terms of establishing intimacy with God than doing one’s righteous deeds privately to be seen by God and not by man. Almost everyone knows this principle. However, few understand the significance of daily living by this simple admonition. Prayer is important. Fasting is important. Sharing our abundance and giving to others is foundational to a healthy soul. But of all these things, the secret sauce is learning to do things for God without trying to draw attention to oneself. Jesus admonishes his people to do their good deeds in secret for the simple reason that good deeds done in secret obtain the Father’s attention. Three times Jesus gives reference to “your Father who sees in secret.” (Matt. 6:4, 6, 18)

How the fear of man undermines your destiny

In all of these situations, Jesus highlights the issue of being seen by men contrasted with being seen by God in secret. To give alms with

1 1 9