As to the Lord and Not to Men

As to the Lord and Not to Men

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Col. 3:23-24.

What is my motivation in life? There are many things to be done, both within and outside the church, but who am I doing them for? We know well what Jesus says in Matthew chapter 6, from the beginning. Those who do their charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them, etc., have already received their reward. But those who do their deeds from their hearts, as unto the Lord, will receive the reward of the inheritance from the Lord. There is a big difference between these two results. The one receives no reward, while the other receives the entire inheritance, which is eternal fellowship with Jesus and all the saints.

Jesus asks in John 5:44: “How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?”

Yes, how can I truly believe if I am seeking honor from people? If I had believed in God, I would also have believed that He sees in secret and that He who sees in secret will also reward me openly. What a deadly snare, and what a loss it is for time and eternity to be caught in this net. I live before people and seek honor for what I do, so this is my compelling force. If I’m praised for what I do, or if I’m quoted at a meeting, then I am extra bold, happy and content. If I’m not praised or I’m forgotten, I become despondent and quiet. The reward and end result from living such a life before people is described in the following words of Jesus: “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matt. 7:22-23.

Imagine hearing these words at the end of your service in this life. Despite everything I’ve done, everything I’ve sacrificed, all the money I’ve given, everything I’ve contributed, I won’t be taken! I have already received my reward. What I did was done before people. What others thought about me and said about me was my motivation in everything I did. I was lacking a true fervent love for Jesus Christ! “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” 2 Cor. 5:14-15. May the love of Christ be the compelling force in our lives, so that I do what I do heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, so that I come out of this ambition that lies so deeply in human nature.

There is no condemnation if I sense that this dwells in me. But there will be condemnation over me if I don’t resist it as soon as I become aware of it. May we hate this tendency with all our hearts when we see it. Breaking free from this net requires great zeal, but if we have a deep interest in being thoroughly saved and if we have a strong fear of God, it is entirely possible. May we pray to God to give us enlightened eyes to see ourselves. David expresses it so incredibly well: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps. 139:23-24. This is something worth praying for. As long as we live, it is possible to enter the way everlasting that will lead me to the inheritance among the saints. May God give me grace to walk on this way as long as I live.