Performing for God

It is part of human nature to want to perform for God, for ourselves, and for other people. No one has to teach us how to perform. We seem to be natural actors. Consider the following kinds of people and see if you find yourself reflected in at least one of them.

The Do-Gooder: Some people are convinced that if they do enough good deeds, if they say enough kind words, or if they develop good character qualities, then they will somehow earn the right to get into heaven. However, the Word of God reminds us that apart from Christ, “[a]ll of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; . . .” (Isaiah 64:6).

The Ritualist: Some people accept Christ as their Savior but later slip into the comfort of rituals and traditions in expressing their faith. For them, the Sunday-morning order of service has to remain the same with little variation, right down to when they stand up or sit down in the church service. Ritual becomes a means to salvation, and soon they add baptism or communion to their faith in Christ as a means of salvation.

These approaches to Christianity misrepresent the true Gospel, which is not about what man can do but about what God has done in His grace because He “so loved the world” (John 3:16). It is His work from beginning to end. He is the author and perfecter of your faith (see Hebrews 12:2). Indeed, He is the one who gave you faith and opened your eyes to receive the Gospel (see Ephesians 2:8-9, 1:18). Your salvation is in no way dependent upon you. It is dependent on the Lord, and He will sustain you into eternity (see Philippians 1:6).

Prayer: Father, at times I have focused more on doing good things and on the rituals of my faith than focusing on Christ, the only means of my salvation. Forgive me and help me to remember that faith is a gift prompted by Your grace. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.