The Father Who Sees in Secret: Living for the Right Audience
Have you ever wondered what it truly means to live righteously before God? This ancient question has puzzled humanity for thousands of years, dating back to Job who asked, “How can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?” Today, we explore Jesus’ answer to this timeless question as we begin our journey through Matthew 6.
What Does It Mean to Be Righteous Before God?
For centuries, people have tried to answer this question through rule-following, sacrifices, and religious performance. They’ve desperately attempted to become more acceptable before God through external obedience and behavior modification. But Jesus reveals something much deeper. As Paul writes, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This shows us that righteousness is not something we achieve—it’s something we receive. The righteousness Jesus speaks about in the Sermon on the Mount isn’t earned through performance. It’s a gift of grace that flows out of a transformed life and heart.
Why Does Heart Transformation Matter More Than Rule Following?
God doesn’t want outside-in change through behavior modification. He wants to transform us from the inside out through relationship with Him. While it often seems easier to just follow rules, this approach has serious problems:
- You’ll follow the rules you agree with
- You’ll find ways around the ones you don’t like
- You’ll judge others who aren’t following any of them
Instead, we’re called to something much deeper—a relationship with God that naturally transforms how we live.
Should Our Lives Be Visible or Hidden?
This might seem confusing. In Matthew 5, Jesus says to let your light shine before others. But in Matthew 6, He warns against practicing righteousness before others to be seen by them. Is this contradictory? Not at all. Jesus is clarifying something crucial about our motivation:
Matthew 5: Live in a way that points people to God
Matthew 6: Make sure you’re never pointing people toward yourself
The key question is: Who are we living for? Are we living for people’s approval, or are we living for God? We must live for God first, and then He empowers us to love and serve people properly.
What Does “Your Father Who Sees in Secret” Mean?
Jesus uses this beautiful phrase multiple times in Matthew 6:
- “So that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (v. 4)
- “When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen” (v. 6)
- “So that it won’t be obvious to others that you’re fasting, but only to your Father who is unseen” (v. 18)
This isn’t about God watching us as a harsh judge. He’s our loving Father who wants the most amazing life possible for us, both now and forever. He knows we live in a fallen world, and heart transformation is essential for experiencing the abundant life He offers.
How Does the Kingdom Life Form in Secret?
The hidden life with God is where transformation happens. This is where:
- Our character is formed
- Our motives are purified
- The light that shines publicly is developed privately
Jesus taught this principle clearly: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:4). This abiding—spending time with the Father, yielding to the Holy Spirit—is where kingdom alignment begins. It’s not about image; it’s about relationship.
Why Is This Freedom, Not Pressure?
This approach to righteousness is actually liberating because:
- Transformation happens in relationship, not rule-following
- Change occurs in God’s presence, not under pressure to get everything right
- We can walk with Him in humility and honesty
- We don’t have to perform—we just abide
As Paul asked, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). Living for people’s approval is exhausting. But when we live for God first, He empowers us to love and serve others authentically.
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to prioritize your hidden life with God. Set aside time each day where it’s just you and Him—no distractions, no performance, just relationship. This isn’t about striving or performing; it’s about abiding. Ask yourself these questions:
- Who am I really living for—God or people’s approval?
- What are my true motivations behind my actions?
- Am I taking time for quiet, unseen moments with the Father?
- How can I develop a more consistent practice of abiding in Him?
Remember, the kingdom life isn’t sustained by rule-following and performance. It’s sustained by abiding with the Father who sees in secret. When we get this relationship right, everything else flows naturally from His transforming presence in our lives.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.