As I introduced yesterday’s devotional, I shared how I do my personal morning devotionals. When I do my morning Bible study, I use a daily devotional, one chapter of the book of Proverbs, and two chapters of Bible reading. Yesterday morning, as I was reading in the sixth chapter of Matthew a phrase I’ve read many times suddenly caught my eye: Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 6:1; emphasis added). As I continued my personal devotional time, I noticed that there are fifteen distinct things that the Lord Jesus Christ, the apostles Peter and Paul tell us that we must “take heed.”
Yesterday’s devotional focused on the first four verses where that phrase is found. Before I share the next four verses where the phrase “take heed” is used, Here’s a brief summary of the first four verses that use that particular phrase, Christians have been told to take heed of:
- Making sure we give to others as led by the Spirit without drawing attention to ourselves. This is found in Matthew 6:1.
- We do nothing to any child that might prevent them from accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. This is found in Matthew 18:10.
- We do not let others lead us astray from our faith. This is found in Matthew 24:4.
- We need to truly listen and make sure we are careful in judgment; whatever standard we set for others will be the standard we are held to. There is also a responsibility and duty required of us – the more we learn about our faith, the more accountable we are to do it. This is found in Mark 4:24.
But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them (Mark 13:9).
Jesus knew that at any time and in any kingdom (or nation) on this world, there would be those who would, because of Satan’s influence, want to destroy the church and silence the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The warning from the Lord Jesus Christ continues: And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost (Mark 13:10-11). It should not take us by surprise when we hear stories of Christians facing persecution for their beliefs; in fact, there is a website, www.persecution.org, filled with stories of people who face persecution and in some cases, martyrdom for the cause of Christ. Jesus even told his early followers, The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil (John 7:7) and If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you (John 15:19).
As demonstrated by Christ’s teaching, if as people, we are called in front of our government to explain our faith, Jesus has told us that the Holy Spirit will provide us with what we need to say. We have the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ that not only will the Spirit guide us during these times, but a reminder recorded in two of the gospels: And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do (Luke 12:5) and again, And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28). When we do come to the point to where we are brought before the governmental officials seeking out our faith, we should not fear them; sure they can order our deaths or imprison us, but that is the extent they can do. Jesus promises his children, But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God (Luke 12:7-8).
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is (Mark 13:33).
One thing that is clearly taught in the New Testament is that we do not know when the Lord is returning for us. Jesus continues in this particular passage, For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch (Mark 13:34-37). As Christians, we are to be ready for his return at any moment. Jesus taught during his earthly ministry that I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left (Luke 17:34-37). This passage clearly shows that we all will be doing something when Jesus returns.
