Saturday Read: Performance Christianity vs. Abiding Faith

Martha was doing everything right according to religious performance metrics. She was serving, working, preparing - all the things good Christians should do. Meanwhile, Mary sat at Jesus's feet doing nothing productive, nothing measurable, nothing that would show up on a ministry report. When Martha complained about the unfairness, expecting validation for her superior work ethic, Jesus gently corrected her: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion" (Luke 10:41-42).

This scene exposes the trap of performance-based Christianity that measures faith by activity rather than intimacy. We create elaborate systems of spiritual productivity - daily devotions checked off, service hours logged, conferences attended, books read. These aren't wrong, but when they replace genuine relationship with religious performance, we've missed the point entirely. We become Christians who are serving Jesus constantly but barely know him.

Jesus warned about this in his parable of the sheep and goats. Those condemned protest, "Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" His response is devastating: "I never knew you; depart from me" (Matthew 7:22-23). Notice - they performed impressive ministry, but they lacked authentic relationship. Activity without intimacy is religious performance masquerading as faith.

The Pharisees were masters of performance Christianity. They prayed publicly, gave generously, fasted frequently, and maintained meticulous religious observance. They were busy for God but distant from God. Jesus called them whitewashed tombs - externally impressive but internally dead (Matthew 23:27). Their religion was all performance with no heart, all show with no substance.

Jesus offers a different model: "Abide in me, and I in you" (John 15:4). The word "abide" suggests staying, remaining, dwelling - not visiting occasionally or performing duties dutifully. It's the difference between a hotel guest and a family member, between doing tasks for someone and simply being with them. Martha was doing for Jesus; Mary was being with Jesus.

How much of your spiritual life is performance versus relationship? Are you serving Jesus or simply serving? Would you be content with God's presence if he asked you to stop all your ministry activity? The goal isn't to stop serving - it's to serve from overflow of relationship rather than obligation of duty. When ministry flows from intimacy, it's sustainable, joyful, and God-honoring. When it flows from performance anxiety, it's exhausting, joyless, and ultimately empty.