6:14,15
We then get a very stern warning about the consequences of not forgiving others. We can view this legalistically, or we can view it as showing how the kingdom works. It is interesting that this is the aspect of the prayer that Jesus highlights. This may be because the religious leaders focused on proving how “good” they were. In reality, the kingdom works in a very different way. So we are not to be looking for reasons to condemn someone.
6:16-18
The hypocrites made a show of fasting, just as they did of giving and praying. Fasting, praying and giving are meant to be done for God, not to win the praise of men. So the hypocrites made sure they looked as though they were fasting, ie they looked pretty miserable. Instead, if we fast, (and the principles apply to anything we do for God) we are to look normal, not to make a show of it. Note that in all these things, Jesus tells us that when we do them in the right spirit our Father in Heaven will reward us. This is all about relationship building, and we will indeed get to know God better if we do things in the right spirit.
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