There is a television show called Undercover Boss; where a CEO of a major business in corporate America goes undercover to work side by side with entry level employees of the company; the labor that truly runs every business at the grassroots level. For network television, it’s a novel concept; in the real world, it is a 2,000 year old idea! The very first undercover boss is God who came down to the grassroots level of His creation and lived and worked side by side with the common man and women, as Jesus Christ; the WORD made flesh.
In the TV show, every boss ends up getting fired by an employee. With God, it was much worse as they crucified Jesus. Another fact that has a parallel, is that employees can best be seen at their job, when the boss is not looking; but here is the odd thing with man and his relationship with God; He is always looking, yet man thinks that He is not. If we truly could comprehend that God sees all 24/7, we might live our lives differently. What would you do differently if you could see God’s eyes looking at you; following you around every day; into every place you go; observing every action, communication and attitude? This is a profound question and it points back at me as well as it points to anyone and everyone.
There is another point that is poignantly paralleled; loyal and dedicated service was openly acknowledged and rewarded. The expression of thanks and appreciation was made to those who thought they were invisible and forgotten. Two simple words were long awaited; “Thank you.” In many cases, special awards and gifts were given; “Well done!”
Though God is invisible to us, He sees all! Our true works are known to God in secret and He rewards us openly.
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” Matthew 6:6
“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” Matthew 25:21.
The Armor of God: The Breastplate of Righteousness
Taking on God’s righteousness is not just doing good openly. It is doing the Godly thing when no one but God is watching. It is impossible, even on the human level to live a double standard. It is not the man pleaser who will be rewarded, but the one who pleases God. It is taking the mindset of Jesus Christ.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5
We use the phrase, “To have a good heart.” Righteousness is a matter of taking Christ’s mindset to heart, to our inner soul. It is in the heart where we determine to serve God or serve sin. That is why God’s righteousness is to be our breastplate. We must protect the Godly heart that God gives us. The carnal heart is deceitful.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9
We must also protect against a bitter heart and not let even the smallest amount of bitterness to take hold of us.
“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” Hebrews 12:15
We need to have a forgiving heart like God; full of mercy and forgiveness.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (46) For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (47) And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? (48) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” Matthew 5:44-48
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