For Those Addicted to the Checklist

Santa Claus isn’t the only one who likes to keep a naughty and nice list.  Sometimes as a Christian, we compile all the different things that we think will make us a good Christian.  In our minds, we jot down pray, read the Bible, serve, give, etc.  

Although doing these things are good, minimizing Christianity into a to-do list is insulting to God and can cause pharisaical tendencies.  Our Christian acts should be motivated by love and not by trying to “fulfill the requirements.” After all, if you make a list of everything a “good Christian” does, it’s hard not to look down on all of those who aren’t following your guidelines to your exact specifications. See, your list might look something like this:

Fool-Proof To-Do List for Being a Great Christian

ü     Read the Bible in the morning

ü     Pray for an hour everyday

ü     Go to church every Sunday and Wednesday; attend special events too

ü     Share my faith once a day

ü     Give old clothes to Goodwill

ü     Eat everything on my plate

 When we decide that our personal habits are God’s design for the Christian life, we muddle God’s truth.  That’s why God tells us that love is the most important commandment.  If we are motivated by love for God and people, all the important aspects of Christianity will fall into place.  Matthew 22:37-40 [NIV] says, “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Loving God is a Christian’s sole pursuit. 

But I know that some of you are disappointed.  You’re organized, and list-making is how you live your life.  You don’t mean to limit your relationship with God, but without lists, you are hardly able to function.

Not to worry, you obsessively-structured souls.  God has provided you with a specific list that you can blissfully check off throughout your days.  He shared it in James 1:27 [NIV]:   “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this—to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

God’s To-Do List for Pure and Faultless Religion

ü     Look after orphans in their distress

ü     Look after widows in their distress

ü     Keep from being polluted by the world

Although checking things off a list can bring satisfaction, you still must examine yourself.  Are you doing these things because of your love for Him?  Are you trying to justify yourself through obedience instead of clinging to His grace?  Do you feel superior to Christians who are not following this list in the same manner that you do?  Psalm 66:10 says, “For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.”  See, while you’re busy checking items off your list, God is checking your heart.