A Superficial Faith

A person with superficial faith gives to the needy, yet underneath he is whining to himself. “Why do I have to give? If I don’t I might be seen as greedy, after all people know I have the resources.” This person wants to be seen before men as charitable, but only wants the recognition of man.

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1)

A person with superficial faith sits down at the dinner table with his family to pray; however, it is a canned prayer with no real substance behind it. At church, he prays before the congregation with pride thinking, “Look at me go, I am laying out a top notch prayer here.” This person only wants to be seen before men as spiritual, but he has no personal prayer life.

⁵ “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:5-6)

When a person with superficial faith is fasting, he makes sure everyone knows it. He works hard around the church but is concerned only with his social standing. He disfigures his face in order to appear as working hard and willing to sacrifice for the Lord. His desire is for others to believe he is righteous.

¹⁶ “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” (Matthew 6:16)

A person with superficial faith gives others the impression that Christianity is a burden with a whole lot of hoops to jump through. His faith is all about himself. However, there is a much better and wiser way. Our public faith should be an overflowing of our personal and private faith.

Come to the Lord and:

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8)

¹³ Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:13-14)

Come and drink of the water Jesus offers, turn to Him in love getting to know who He is. He is the One who died for us; He gives us life. When our faith in private is real, our public faith is true. Through us, God will bring froth life in a lost and dying world. Instead of complaining, reflect on the goodness of God appreciating all He has done. Open His Word with enthusiasm expecting to hear from God while growing in knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.