Instead

Instead of an outward performance based "faith," we allow God to move & work in our hearts via His love, grace, and might to create in us the outworking of His love in real & tangible demonstrations of His love. What if we did that, if Christ-followers gave up on self and cried out for mercy to God, for Him to move in His people - the Church - that we might be the hands and feet of Christ to the world? I simply ask, what if?


Jon Foreman has condensed this thought really well! It's his song Instead of a Show...

I hate all your show & pretense

The hypocrisy of your praise

The hypocrisy of your festivals

I hate all your show

Away with your noisy worship

Away with your noisy hymns

I stop up my ears when you're singin' 'em

I hate all your show

Instead let there be a flood of justice

An endless procession of righteous living, living

Instead let the be a flood of justice

Instead of a show

Your eyes are closed when you're prayin'

You sing out along with the band

You shine up your shoes for services

There's blood on your hands

You turned your back on the homeless

And the ones that don't fit your plan

Quit playin' religion games

There's blood on your hands

Instead let there be a flood of justice

An endless procession of righteous living, living

Instead let the be a flood of justice

Instead of a show

I hate all your show


Let's argue this out
If your sins are blood red
Let's argue this out
You be one of the clouds
Let's argue this out
Quit fooling around


Give love to the one's who can't love at all
Give hope to the ones who've no hope at all
Stand up for the ones who can't stand at all


I hate all your show (4x)


Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate all your show

If it hits home, then I think its probably true. What is your response? What does it reveal about your spiritual life? I know I am working through it, and by God's grace, my life will be a flood of justice, an endless procession of righteousness, and no longer a light-hearted, cavalier show for or to God.