Words can be revealing. The older brother had always done the right thing, it seemed. The dutiful son. The responsible son. The moral son. For years he had worked so hard to be the good son. But with one slip of the tongue, his heart and motivation were revealed. “Slaving,” he said. 

So many of us can get caught up in performing. Looking clean and shiny on the outside, while our hearts can reveal different motives. Religious performance can be so pervasive in the church. If we do all the right things–go to church on Sundays, attend a small group, read our Bibles, put on a happy face in the lobby, then God will bless us. All those things are great but if we are doing them to earn our reward from God, our obedience becomes transactional and the relationship gets lost. “God, look at everything I’ve done for You. Now give me the life I deserve!” 

God doesn’t want performers. He wants sons and daughters who know Him, love him, and long to be with Him.  

Reflection: In what ways do you perform for God?  Ask Him to reveal your heart posture in those things and show you where obedience has become transactional with God.