MAMMON OF THE HEART

I’ve always found it fascinating how often people that I know who are incredibly selfish regard themselves as the exact opposite of their true nature. And if they happen to be part of a church they will go out of their way to do things for others so they can boast about and prove they really are generous. Of course when one is motivated by the desires for attention then it really isn’t an act of generosity. At least God knows the difference even if we want to pretend otherwise.

Mammon of the heart then is the deeper motives that reflect our true desires. Not the ones we claim with our lips, but the ones that are actions honestly reflect.

And as I said, God has the capacity to see deep into our hiding place where our real motives fuel our actions. He knows the difference between our words and what we honestly believe.

Sadly church life often lends itself to image. One can create the illusion of being one type of person while in reality being somebody totally different. And unfortunately there are too many that are followers of Jesus who can look upon us and see the truth even if it isn’t what we claim. That is part of what so often helps to give credence to the view that Christianity is such a regrettable abode for hypocrisy.

Why does church life so often lend itself to such behavior? And why do we as Christians so easily set aside the reality and honesty of our genuine nature in order to play the silly game of appearance counts most of all?

Well I think there are many answers. But most of all I feel it comes from the simple lack of understanding people have regarded the meaning of grace. Plus there is the complication that not everyone who sits in a pew is actually a follower of Christ. I don’t wish to try and determine those that are from those that are not. I can only observe the number of people I’ve seen who show no evidence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Nor did they seem to even worry about this fact. They seemed very content to have gleamed the image of being a good and loving person even if it was nothing like they were in reality.

But it is the absence to me of erecting one’s house of faith upon a foundation of Christ and using the mortar of grace that I feel makes too many suppose followers of Jesus get caught up in some form of legalism. Oh they claim they are saved by faith, but right after that proclamation they will always attach something that one has to do beyond accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior to be saved.

Thus, grace is ignored. People want to put on display the few things they do right and have everyone (including God) forget about the things they did wrong. One can so easily be seduced from this fragile pedestal of thinking into believing they have somehow earned their salvation even if they don’t admit it openly.

But beyond this insanity is the truth. That is the abiding wondrous joy of God’s grace. It is his ability and willingness to accept us as we are without conditions. It is a free gift from is unconditional love. For the person who understands this unmerited favor one’s relationship with the Lord is filled with freedom. To be able to enjoy the simply blessing of being saved and not have to be miserable because you can’t follow a set of rules and are afraid to confess it in a church where they make it a requirement for salvation. So be free, savor grace and above all enjoy each day in Christ and the miraculous gift it really is.