Performance or Following?
Scripture
Matthew 6:1 (NASB)
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”
Devotion
Pastor Darren described that moment in the car when the GPS popped up: “X miles, X minutes to work” as they were headed to church. That tiny notification exposed a big question: has this become a job or a joy? Duty or delight? Performance or following?
Jesus warned that it is possible to “practice your righteousness” in the sight of people, and yet have no reward from the Father. In other words, you can do the right-looking things (church, serving, giving, singing) for the wrong audience. You can appear spiritual and still be performing rather than actually worshiping.
The scary part is how subtle this shift is. Church attendance can become a box to check. Serving can become a way to be seen. Lifting hands can become “what we do in this church” instead of an honest response to God. We get good at “church behavior” the way a monkey is trained to pull a lever. We learn the cues; we perform on command.
But Jesus is after followers, not performers. He’s after hearts that come to be with Him, not just bodies that show up so someone will notice. The Lord’s question to Pastor D is the question to you: “Is this a duty, or are you really about feeding the sheep? Are you here to perform, or to follow Me?”
Reflection
Matthew 6:1 (NASB)
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”
Devotion
Pastor Darren described that moment in the car when the GPS popped up: “X miles, X minutes to work” as they were headed to church. That tiny notification exposed a big question: has this become a job or a joy? Duty or delight? Performance or following?
Jesus warned that it is possible to “practice your righteousness” in the sight of people, and yet have no reward from the Father. In other words, you can do the right-looking things (church, serving, giving, singing) for the wrong audience. You can appear spiritual and still be performing rather than actually worshiping.
The scary part is how subtle this shift is. Church attendance can become a box to check. Serving can become a way to be seen. Lifting hands can become “what we do in this church” instead of an honest response to God. We get good at “church behavior” the way a monkey is trained to pull a lever. We learn the cues; we perform on command.
But Jesus is after followers, not performers. He’s after hearts that come to be with Him, not just bodies that show up so someone will notice. The Lord’s question to Pastor D is the question to you: “Is this a duty, or are you really about feeding the sheep? Are you here to perform, or to follow Me?”
Reflection
- Be honest: In what specific ways has church (or your role in it) started to feel more like “work” than worship?
- What is one area where you know you’re “going through the motions” for others’ eyes more than for God?
- Today, before you attend any service or do any “ministry,” pray simply: “Lord, I don’t want to perform for people; I want to follow You. Purify my motives.”