” Lord help me to desire your praise not the praise of people,” were the first words I wrote after reading two verses of Scripture. Currently, I am journeying through reading about justification in the Bible. My reading for today was Romans 3. Romans 3:1 says, “What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?” In learning about studying the Bible, I have learned that it is essential to read the Bible in full context; if not, we can interpret the text to mean what we think it should. Anyway, when I read verse one, I knew I needed to read chapter 2 to understand the context. I read the last two verses 28-29. Which says, “A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.” Romans 2:28-29 NIV

What got my attention about these verses was that I was praying about this before reading these verses. I love God, yet it is friarly easy to fall into the trap of an excellent Christian image. What I mean by a good Christian image is when we do all the right things outwardly, yet our heart is not right with God. We are just pretending. 

Over the past week or more, I found myself thinking, oh Michelle; you haven’t done a podcast in a while, you haven’t been posting consistently, you haven’t even written a daily devotional, you are slacking at home, at work, blah blah blah. As I prayed against those things, I asked God to help me only to desire His praise. And I thanked Him that he loves me because he loves me, not because of what I can do for him. It’s easy to keep on doing and serving when everyone notices and praises you along, but it is a different ballgame when you don’t have cheerleaders or when you feel like you are not doing enough. I have also learned that God could care less about our outward obedience if our hearts are not submitted to the Holy Spirit. 

So I say all this to say, know that you are a sinner just like me, we needed a savior which we received in Jesus Christ; still, God loves us and declares us forgiven when we have faith in Him. Spend time in seclusion with God. Let go of anything that is keeping you from focusing on him. Surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit, and seek to live a life that receives praise from God, not people.

Do you know who you are in Christ? Do you live it out, inwardly? Or are you pretending?