I had a little confusion concerning what I read in Matthew 5:16 and Matthew 6:1. They seem to be related, but at the same time cancel each other out. Matthew 5:16 says "let your light shine before men," while Matthew 6:1 reads "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them." I guess I need to know if "good deeds" and "acts of righteousness" have the same meaning. -- Harold Marsh (Dallas)
I believe the two terms may be synonymous, yet either way the surface contradiction you have discovered is resoluble.
Jesus in the "Sermon on the Mount" is dealing with inner attitudes, with matters of the heart. It all has to do with motivation. Our light will shine--if we have fanned our faith into flame, it cannot be otherwise. And yet we are not to do our good deeds purely to be seen, or to be admired by our fellow humans. That would be egotistical, self-focussed.
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