Quote for church goers - PhillyBlog

Ezra · #1 (**permalink**) 12-15-2004, 04:46 PM

This is what I have to say to those who choose the publicly christian over the privately faithful as the more morally valid path.

A message from God regarding making a public show of your faith.

Quote:

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to
pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen
by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your
Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in
secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling
like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many
words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before
you ask him."

Matthew 6:5-8

seand · #2 (**permalink**) 12-15-2004, 05:17 PM

Great quote!

Cheers

IMPAQ · #3 (**permalink**) 12-15-2004, 05:20 PM

I used to hate going to church when I would kneel down to pray at the altar and folks were screaming "to God" at the top of their lungs praying.

seand · #4 (**permalink**) 12-15-2004, 05:49 PM

We of course sat in in silence in my meeting house when I was growing up but at the Florida Ave Friends Meeting in D.C. there was one schizophrenic lady who came in with elaborate political commentary written on pieces of construction paper attached to various articles of her clothing. She would occasionally stand and speak as people in Quaker meetings do and that's when I realized that Quakers will tolerate a few minutes of just about any statement in church but when your comments digress in 5 minute obscenity laden diatribes, well then the Secretary will escort you out of the mettinghouse, albeit in a peaceful, low confrontational manner.

Cannabis · #5 (**permalink**) 12-16-2004, 02:36 PM

Yes, the bible does warn against public display of faith in order to be seen by others. Yet, people get confused sometimes. Pope John Paul II exhorts Christians to display signs of their faith more forcefully.

http://www.detnews.com/2004/religion...ion-298285.htm

peacemover · #6 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 11:07 AM

That quote is straight from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), in a section preceding what is known as "The Lord's Prayer."

Jesus seems to be admonishing his disciples and followers gathered on the hillside on that day to let their lifestyles and compassion bear witness to their faith rather than showy, self-pious displays that the Jewish pharisees of the day were known for doing. To the pharisees, tradition and practice superseded belief and compassion. Jesus refocused them on the Great Commandment- (Love God and your neighbor), when in the Sermon on the Mount he said that was the greatest commandment, and all the laws and writings of the prophets hinge on that command.

That is certainly also an admonishment to us today to truly seek to live out our faith rather than putting on showy displays of piety without evidence of faith in the way we live.

Great quote Ezra.

:clapping:

peacemover · #7 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 02:01 PM

There is a memorable quote that apparently a well-known writer once said (although I cannot remember his name at the moment):

"The greatest single cause of Atheism in the world today is those who profess God with their lips and then go out and deny God by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."

Words I believe to be powerful and true. How we live and treat others speaks far louder than the words that come out of our mouths.

Ezra · #8 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 02:38 PM

Amen brother.

peacemover · #9 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 04:39 PM

Quote:

There is a memorable quote that apparently a well-known writer once said (although I cannot remember his name at the moment):

"The greatest single cause of Atheism in the world today is those who profess God with their lips and then go out and deny God by their lifestyle."

Words I believe to be powerful and true. How we live and treat others speaks far louder than the words that come out of our mouths.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezra

Amen brother.

That is why people of faith and moral conscience need to hold themselves to a high standard of accountability as far as lifestyle goes- if I don't lead a lifestyle that sets a positive example what I say won't make a difference. Some refer to that as walking the walk, not just talking the talk...

It's hard to do consistently, but that is what we are all called to aspire to, I believe.