Be Still and Be Happy: Devotions for WomenUzorak

Heart Motives

The good works we do are the evidence that our faith is alive, according to James 2:14-26. Therefore, good deeds are a vital aspect of our lives as believers. The average person living in biblical times would have considered the Pharisees exemplary in their righteous living. However, the Pharisees were also known for making a show of their good deeds.

Today’s exhortation from Jesus reaches the level of our hearts, testing our motivations for why we perform acts of kindness. We won‘t need to seek acceptance from others if we know our righteousness is rooted in Christ. We find in Philippians 2:12-13 that it is God who is working in us to give us the motivation and strength to do good. Because of God’s grace toward us, our deeds become a spontaneous outpouring of praise to the Lord.

Lord, you have already accepted me by your grace and the gift of your righteousness. I want my deeds to be acts of praise to you.