What shall we do with our faith? Shall we turn it into a means of personal gratification whereby people will know how wonderful we are? Shall we mount a position high above others so that we can look down on them, ever reminding them of how far we have come and how holy we really are? Shall we live so as to revel in our humility, camouflaging our pride by going out of the way to look the part?

Silly questions? Maybe! Yet, these are the very kinds of things the Pharisees were doing at the time of Jesus; and, He didn’t embrace it in any way, shape, or form. In fact, Jesus took the silliness of those who would portend to be spokespersons for God, and spoke to those who truly loved God about what a relationship with God really looked like. What a difference it was, too.

Jesus calls us to a living of our lives whereby our Yes is simply Yes, and our No is simply No. Pride has no place. Showtime faith is disavowed. Seeking the place of honor is laughable. Hungering to be called “Great,” or “Wonderful” or “Remarkable,” is totally out of character.

Instead, in the way of Jesus “the greatest shall be…servant” (Matt. 23:11). We have one leader, and He is Jesus. The rest of us are blessed by grace to be a part of what He is doing in the world. Who of us gets the credit is not essential or even important. That all praise and glory and honor go to God is non-negotiable.

Let’s be so occupied with our relationship with Jesus that the only approval we ultimately seek is His. The world may or may not say to us, “Well done.” It matters not as long as on that day, which will mean more than any other day in history, we hear Jesus say, “Well done.” I really do want Him to say this to me. Don’t you?