Do Not Be Like These People 5

"As they were traveling along, Jesus went into a village. A woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary. Mary sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to him talk.

But Martha was upset about all the work she had to do. So she asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work all by myself? Tell her to help me.”

The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha! You worry and fuss about a lot of things. There’s only one thing you need. Mary has made the right choice, and that one thing will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

We shall continue with this series, the fifth in which is about putting a name or a face to people who we should not be like.

Believe it or not, well meaning people have labored long and hard to please God, doing everything and anything, reading His Word daily and even memorizing Scriptures but miss the most important part of what the Lord wanted them to do.

Throughout church history, we have read or heard about people who have burned themselves out in the Name of the Lord. We might even know a few people like them or worse, we could be included in this list.

But don't get me wrong, we need "Marthas" in any church and in any ministry. Being one is not necessarily the issue. The problem is in not being able to recognize the Lord, or what He really wants us to do. Also in not being jealous or envious of someone and even being a whiner, especially directed towards the Lord.

The thing is that with God, what He is really looking for, is what is inside our hearts or what our intentions are in doing what we do, particularly in what we do for Him, or in His Name.

God is God, and who are we to con or mock Him. He loves us so much that He wants us to do the right thing, but no, not for show, not for selfish interests or not for any other personal or naive reason other than to be able to give glory to His Name and point others to Him and Him alone.

To be a "Martha", we need to be a "Mary" first and foremost. And even with that, we do not even presume to tell God what He needs to do or even try to tell to His face, the many things we have done for Him. Remember apart from Him we can do nothing. And God being God, He does not really need help. What we do for Him, we do out of real love and yes "...when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty." Luke 17:10.

Also, "God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7b.

And a couple of wise sayings show us:

"People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives." Proverb 16:2.

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Proverb 14:12.

Really, everything we do for the Lord will be tested... "for The Day will make what each one does clearly visible because fire will reveal it. That fire will determine what kind of work each person has done. If what a person has built survives, he will receive a reward. If his work is burned up, he will suffer the loss".

Don't Be Like Them Series