It is heresy to base our life on our religious performance, since it implies we can earn God's love or somehow earn our way into heaven. From childhood we have been taught to believe that if we were seen to be behaving 'nicely' we can earn that 'extra jewel in the crown'. But if we are honest, we will recognise that it is a subtle way of manipulating God for our own purposes so we can feel as if we have deserved and earned God's love. To "parade" our works of mercy before others in order to 'attract their notice' is a reward in itself, so says Jesus (Mt. 6:2,5,16).

"Your father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you," says Jesus - thus showing us a new way of using God's perspective as ours. It is the basis for a wholesome loving relationship with our God and neighbour. Mere external observances without an interior lifting up of our heart to the Lord will only reduce us into 'sounding brass and tinkling cymbal' (1 Cor.13). We really need to tear off our pretences and don the cloak of integrity (2 Kgs.2:12,13) if we decide to follow Jesus on His way, seriously.