A Performance Worthy of an Oscar

The Academy Awards recognizes the best in the world of film. It’s a big night in Hollywood, appropriately full of glitz and glamour. Winners gush, “I want to thank my director, my producer, my loving wife …” while losers force a smile as the TV cameras zoom in. Their craft is about creating an illusion, playing a role, drawing us into a story for a couple of hours. In the end, however, it is a performance. The lights come on and we go back to the real world.

Is your practice of Christianity worthy of an Oscar, a great performance, but only that? Are you putting on a show, setting the stage with props, learning lines written by others? Or, are you living in the real world in the power of the Lord Jesus Christ?  He knows the craving for approval that is everyone of us, so He warns - “Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding. “When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—‘playactors’ I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get." (Matthew 6:1-3, The Message)

Authentic disciples are the same when the whole world is looking on and when they are alone in their room. That’s integrity! Christians who are real sleep easily and fear nothing. To be sure, they may not gain the same kind of approval that those who wear masks enjoy for a time. It’s relatively easy to play the role of a devoted follower of Christ for a couple of hours on Sunday morning compared to walking in faith each day of the week. Real Christians don’t hide their failures or play up their successes. They don’t need makeup artists or image consultants. The only One they seek to please knows them inside out!

There will be an awards ceremony for all of us. Heaven’s awards won’t be for the best actors. They will be offered to each and every faithful disciple. "God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming." (2 Timothy 4:8, The Message) What a glorious Day around the Throne of God. What could compare to receiving the commendation of Christ?  Now, that’s an award worth living for!

Here is the word from the Word. This passage scares actors to death, but comforts those with integrity. I hope it’s a powerful promise for you that keeps you real.
"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable." (Hebrews 4:12-13, NLT)