Every time I come across this passage I’m reminded of my previous struggle with “check-mark” Christianity. For a long time I was consumed with checking all the boxes of my faith being in action:
[ ] Read the Bible
[ ] Pray
[ ] Attend multiple worship services a week
[ ] Serve in the Church
[ ] Only listen to Christian Music
… the list went on and on. The truth was during that season of life my heart was far from the heart of Jesus. I was consumed with looking the part, but on the inside, I was full of self-pride. May today we be encouraged and challenged by not being consumed with actions and traditions, but be consumed by allowing God to work in and through us beginning with the heart. Let our actions overflow of the change Jesus is doing in us, and May God be glorified in our various acts of worship as our hearts become closer to His!