Ephesians 4:1
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”
We live and work in a world of competitive performance and achievement. Whether sports, business, or entertainment, we are constantly being evaluated. If we perform up to expectations, we are praised. If we perform below expectations, we are criticized. It’s relentless, non-stop scrutiny and commentary.
In reaction to this competitive environment, many people seek identity in how they perform and what they achieve. If they do well, they feel good about themselves. If they do poorly, they feel bad about themselves. Sometimes this mindset is self-inflicted; other times it is the result of external expectations and pressure; much of the time it is a combination of both.
But if we are constantly seeking the approval of others, and we allow our identity and self-concept to be tethered to praises and criticisms of our performance, eventually we will suffer emotionally and spiritually.
Jesus breaks through the noise and calls us to a different way of living and working. In God’s design, our identity is not found in how we perform and what we achieve; rather, it is found in our relationship with him. In God’s kingdom, we work and perform and achieve, but we do so because of who we are in Christ.
We work diligently not to avoid criticism or gain approval from people; rather, we work diligently in service to the one true King.
Scripture is crystal clear: We are saved by grace through faith. Scripture is also clear that “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2.8-10)
God has created a world of cause-and-effect, which means that what we do and how well we do it has consequences. It is a significant spiritual mistake to think or teach otherwise.
The farmer who does not perform well will not feed himself, his family, or his community. The doctor who does not perform well would make a very poor surgeon. The educator who does engage students effectively would be a very poor teacher. The manager or executive who fails to provide effective leadership creates significant problems for an organization.
Again, performance matters. However, we must understand the profound difference between a fallen view of performance versus a redeemed view of performance.
- The fallen view of performance is powered by self; the redeemed view is powered by the Spirit.
- The fallen view of performance is driven by ego and image; the redeemed view is driven by grace.
- The fallen view is driven by a desire to please people; the redeemed view is driven by a desire to please God.
- The fallen view seeks to promote self; the redeemed view seeks to serve others.
- The fallen view is driven by fear; the redeemed view is driven by faith.
Read and reflect deeply on what the apostle writes in the book of Colossians:
“Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3.22-25)
More on this important topic tomorrow …
