Imagine a typical morning on the streets of some Biblical city. As people begin to go about their day, a procession of long-robed individuals arrests everyone’s attention. They love to call to the people in the market, who, still setting up their stalls in the crisp morning air, wonder at all the time these men seem to have. After a suitable amount of time and a few well-staged selfies, the long-robed men arrive at the temple, where they begin their long, loud prayers for all to hear. The robes are long, and the prayers are even longer, and the pictures are edited. However, unknown to the people who watch, the spectacle is a performative worship which brings no glory to God. It is just a show. The robes, the prayers, and the pictures are for others to see and admire. It has no eternal reward; in fact, it will only bring a “greater damnation.”
 
As Christians, you have heard messages and lessons on how your worship needs to be personal. It is in our prayer closet or spot at the dining room table where we bring our requests to God. It is the personal relationship with our Savior that makes us strive to do better and drives us to our knees in intercession for ourselves and our loved ones.
 
Jesus warned against these very same long-robed individuals, who directed attention to themselves rather than their Creator. In fact, three out of the four Gospels record that they “…shall receive a greater damnation.” (Matt. 23:14, Mark 12:40, and Luke 20:46)
 
First and foremost, our testimony needs to be born from a place of gratitude to Jesus for salvation. The longer you are a Christian, the more you grow in awe of your salvation and God’s Word. Through the Bible, we know how to live our daily lives. Don’t worry about those you see with the long robes and even longer prayers, or the golden-hour photos; God will deal with them. Instead, consume yourself with finding a place to spend time with your Savior. Your reward will be wisdom, power, strength, and grace from above for the day ahead.

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Miriam Chung, Christian School Teacher

Mrs. Chung grew up around the work of the ministry and now has the privilege of teaching at the North Valley Baptist Schools. She and her husband faithfully teach young people and are a vital asset to the ministry of NVBC.